Whenever non-Native people want to gather people together to discuss something, usually informally, they often describe it as having a “pow-wow.” It’s always kind of bothered me and I’ve always wondered why they do this. I mean, do they really know what a true pow-wow actually is?

From my understanding it’s a gathering of First Nations people for the purposes of singing, dancing, and spirituality. How do they compare?

One involves sacred ceremonies and sharing of culture, the other is a bunch of people standing around yapping about business matters in a place that may or may not have a water cooler and donuts.

Am I the only one that doesn’t see any kind of connection between the two? Other than the fact that it’s people gathering together in one place, I see absolutely no resemblance at all.

Also, “pow-wows” as non-Native people have them, are usually spontaneous and brief. Actual pow-wows take weeks, sometimes months to plan and the event itself can go on for multiple days.

It seems to me that this mis-naming came about as a result of a misunderstanding. More specifically, non-Native people misunderstanding the importance of a pow-wow and reducing it to something mundane. Unless you’re pulling out a drum and putting on buckskin and beads, guess what?

You’re not having a pow-wow.

Pow-wows are not business meetings, the two are light years apart. Maybe from now on, instead of gathering family or co-workers together to hammer out an issue, just call it a meeting.

Or, if you still want it to have an indigenous flavor, just call it a band council meeting.