Any number of contestants from each lodge may participate in the Individual Dance Contest Championship. The top dancers will be asked to demonstrate their skills at the American Indian Show, at which time they will receive their awards. The Individual Dance Competition will take place on Sunday, July 28, 2002. The rules are simple:
1) All contestants must confirm their registration when they arrive at the conference at the American Indian Activities booth or office on Saturday, July 27, 2002 at the Assembly Hall.
2) There will be five categories of individual dance competition:
Awards will be given to the top finishing dancers according to the judges' discretion.A. Fancy-Dance (one class)
B. Grass
C. Straight Dance
D. Old Style
E. Traditional (contemporary traditional).
3) Dancers must wear appropriate authentic clothing. There are
many styles, but they may include as their basic elements: a hair
roach, neck and/or back bustles, moccasins, bells, apron
(breechcloth), and miscellaneous accessories, such as beaded
cuffs, belt, arm bands, choker, headband, etc. War bonnets and
chiefs clothing are only acceptable for Old Style competition.
In an effort to distinguish between Old Style and Traditional,
these categories will be determined by the judging staff.
Consideration will be given for bustle type, clout or apron, and
quill and beadwork designs. As a general guideline, Old Style is
considered as pre 1920. If you are in doubt of which category to
dance, please bring a photograph of your dance clothes to
registration on Saturday, July 27, 2002. The judges will assist
you into the proper category.
4) Dancers must dance in the style of their clothing. In preliminary competition, if you are eliminated in one dance style, you may change outfits and dance in another style, if scheduling time permits. You must be registered in both styles. Dancers may not compete in the finals in more than one category.
5) Losing a major article off your attire during the contest means automatic disqualification. Having your attire properly maintained and secured tightly easily eliminates this problem.
6) All dancers must be under the age of twenty-one (21). If a question regarding age arises, you will be asked for your proof of age. Driver license, copy of your birth certificate, etc.
7) All dancers must be members of the Order of the Arrow and registered conference participants.
8) Dancers must be prepared to dance indoors or outdoors.
9) Dance practice and outfit construction should not take place during conference activities.
10) Each participant will be issued a contestant number, which must be visible while dancing in any competition.
11) Overstepping the song may lower your placement in the overall standing.
12) NO PARTS OF ANY PROTECTED SPECIES ON ANY OUTFIT. Violation of this rule will result in automatic disqualification. Please be aware of any federal and state laws regarding endangered species parts.
13) Within the guidelines found in the U.S. Code as to the American Flag, flags are not to be used as wearing apparel. With this in mind, no type of U.S. flag(s) will be permitted as part of dance attire. If you have these items on your outfit, please remove them prior to the conference. Flag motifs in quill work and beadwork are acceptable.
14) National Order of the Arrow Face Paint Policy: Order of the Arrow National Conferences and Activities conducted beyond the individual lodge will not permit face paint, body paint or wigs to be used in social or competition dancing or in ceremonies or ceremonies competition.
15) The Boy Scouts of America policy regarding weapons will be followed.
16) There will be a meeting of all judges and dancers at 9:30
p.m., or one half hour following the Opening Show on Saturday,
July 27, 2002. Every dancer must be present at this meeting.
All dancers are encouraged to participate in the judging of
American Indian clothing. This judging will be held immediately
before or after the dance competition. A panel of selected judges
will give out clothing critiques and ribbons.
The judging criteria will be as determined by the judging
committee. All judges' decisions are final.
There will be no competition for individual skill dancing (i.e.
hoop, horse tall, etc.) All dancers are encouraged to dance in
the Pow Wow on Wednesday at the Founder's Day Festival.
If you have any questions on Individual Dance Competition address
them to:
Mike Goins
719 Lakewood Drive
Morristown, TN 37760
Back To American Indian Activities Committee Information
Revised 05/20/02