Suit Up for Ceremonies

Ceremonial Costume Competition

Application Instructions

This application is for those lodges or chapters that wish to have their ceremonial team’s costumes chosen as a finalist in the NOAC Ceremonial Team Costume Competition.

The Suit Up For Ceremonies costume award is for the best Regional Costume. Awards will be made to the first place team for costumes from the following regions:

1. Northeast Woodlands
2. Southeast
3. Northwest Coast
4. Northern and Central Plains
5. Southern Plains and Prairie Region

While lodges are encouraged to represent American Indians from their local region, where feasible and resources are available, costumes entered in the completion can be from any of the regional categories. For example, a lodge / chapter from California can compete in costumes of the Northern and Central Plains.

This application will be used to certify those lodges for final, on-site competition in the five categories at NOAC 2015. A panel from the “Suit Up For Ceremonies” committee will select those teams for participation in the final round of competition. Lodge advisers will be informed if their team’s costumes are chosen for the competition at NOAC. Those selected as finalists will be the only costumes participating in the 2015 NOAC competition. Medals for the top teams in each of the five categories will be awarded and public recognition will be made at the American Indian theme show at NOAC 2015. Those teams selected as finalists must attend a critique session at NOAC 2015 prior to being judged. No feedback will be given before, during, or after the competition. If your team is not selected as a finalist and you wish for comments or a discussion of your team’s costumes, please see the conference schedule for ceremonial costume critiques.

Complete this application and return to Richard Hynes, 23 Brushwood Hill, Franklin MA 02038 postmarked no later than May 25, 2015 along with color photographs (front and rear views) of the costumes to be entered. Ceremonialists should be in this order, left to right, to be properly judged: Kichkinet, Allowat Sakima, Meteu, Nutiket. Include with this application a brief description of the costumes being presented; for example, region and time period. On the outside of your submittal envelope, please indicate the region selected. Only those costumes which are used for local lodge and chapter events and ceremonies throughout the past year will be accepted for this competition. Costumes reserved for special occasions or for the purpose of competition only will not be considered!

In an effort to help avoid scheduling conflicts the Lodge should note that anyone from the Lodge may present themselves in the costume for the competition. Only the costumes are being judged; therefore, youth modeling the costumes are not required to be ceremonialists, but must be under 21 years of age.

American Indian Activities Costume Competition Application (PDF)

Rules & Regulations

NOTES:

• Applications for team ceremonial costume competition must be postmarked no later than May 25, 2015.
• The panel of judges will meet on June 6, 2015 and will select the team costumes for the final competition to be held at the National Order of the Arrow Conference in August 2015.
• The Lodge / Chapter Adviser will be notified in writing as to whether or not their costumes will move on to the finals at NOAC 2015.

RULES AND REGULATIONS:

1. Competitors must follow National BSA Regulations regarding undergarments, wigs, face paint, and footwear. Any team or individual violating these regulations will be disqualified.
2. Footwear, including imitations, must be representative of the region, tribe, and time period of the costume (that is, no bare feet, no hiking boots, no store brands, and no sneakers or flip flops).
3. All costumes must represent the same region and be of the same time period.
4. Most dance costumes are not the same as ceremonial costumes and therefore are unacceptable.
5. The pre-selection application, complete with color photos, is required for eligibility in the competition.
6. Costumes are being judged; therefore youths modeling the costumes are not required to be ceremonialists, but must be under 21 years of age.
7. All costumes must be working costumes used in regular lodge ceremonies during the year. Special ‘museum or competition’ costumes will be disqualified at the discretion of the judges. Personal costumes will be accepted as long as they are used in regular lodge ceremonies.
8. No parts of any plant, animal, or bird protected by Federal, State, or National BSA regulation, treaty, or law, may be used in the construction of any costume, part of a costume, or costume accessory. No guns can be used as a ceremonial prop or costume accessory. Any team or individual using such items will be disqualified.
9. All ceremonialists must wear their current Order of the Arrow sash and it must be placed on top of any other costume part or accessory.

Last revised on March 11, 2015