There are many different types of dance and dance categories at a powwow. Dance categories are divided by age, gender, and style of dance.

Traditional Male

These dancers may wear bead work, a breastplate, a back bustle made of Eagle or hawk feathers, matching round arm bands, ankle bells, a breechcloth, choker, a wapeca (feathered porcupine headdress), leggings, and moccasins. Some regalia may include pieces of fur or bone from animals. Dance movements include active head movements re-enacting warriors searching the ground for tracks of enemy or prey.

Traditional Female

These dancers wear buckskin or cloth ankle-length or mid-calf dresses, sometimes decorated with elk teeth or shells. The regalia includes a knee-length breastplate, leggings, brass tack or leather belt, otter braid wraps, and moccasins. Dancers may carry a long-fringed shawl, fan, bag, or scarf and dance movements are dignified and graceful. The movements are characterized by the swaying of the fringe.

Fancy Feather

This dance is performed by men and boys, having it's origin in the old war dances. Regalia is usually bright, colorful, and elaborate and includes two long, fringe-back bustles, a head roach, decorated yokes and breech cloths, angora anklets, ankle sheep bells, moccasins, and arm bands. The dance steps are fast, intricate, and include twisting, leaping, twirling, splits, footwork, and acrobatics. Dance sticks are carried and twirled during this high-energy dance.

Fancy Shawl

These dancers are women and girls, usually dressed in colorful, elaborate regalia with a calf-length skirt and beaded or sequined vest.  A long, fringed shawl is worn over the shoulders and held out at the elbows. Movements include fine footwork and fast spins, meant to mimic a joyful butterfly.

Grass Dance

This dance is very old, and dates back to the days of the camp circle when Grass Dancers were the first to dance after moving camp. This dance was intended to introduce the people to the new location to which they had moved. They prepared the earth in a good way for the people to follow and for other dancers. The movements of the dancer represent the flow of prairie grass in the wing. Grass Dancers wear long, flowing fringe of yarn or ribbons to represent the grass, a yoke, breechcloth, a roach or wapeca (wah-pe-sha) headdress, fringed anklets, ankle bells, bead work, and moccasins. They shake and sway like the grass in the wind while their feet perform a variety of slides, hops, and other moves.

Jingle Dress

These dancers are female. The Jingle Dress is made with tin cones attached to the dress. The cones are made out of chewing tobacco can lids. The dancing movements shake the cones, which hit each other and make the jingle sounds. Dance movements include a straight posture, up and down motion, and hopping or rocking with the feet moving in a shuffle. Arms are bent at the elbows, with one or two hands on hips or carrying a scarf, fan, or purse. On honor beats, the fan is raised proudly in the air.

Golden Age

These dancers are all Elders.  A Golden Age dancer is older than 60 years of age. Native elders are held in the highest esteem in Dakota culture. They have done much living and learning and are prized for the wisdom and insight they have to share. Dancers that are also elders are especially looked after and honored. They are also served first at mealtimes, have special seating areas at the wacipi, and can dance any style in the Golden Age competition.

Tiny Tots

This dance category is for all children age five and under, in regalia. They are invited to dance either by themselves or with a relative. each dancer is given a small gift after their exhibition dance.

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Prairie Island Indian Community  • 5636 Sturgeon Lake Road • Welch, Minnesota • 55089  •  1-800-554-5473