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How did Wild West shows influence modern powwow dances?

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Native American dance Aztec round dance for Quetzalcóatl and Xolotl (a dog-headed god who is Quetzalcóatl's companion), detail from a facsimile Codex Borbonicus (folio 26), c. 1520; original in the Chamber of Deputies, Paris, France.

Wild West shows significantly influenced the development of modern powwow dances by introducing elements of exhibition and showmanship to traditional Native American practices. Beginning around 1880, as the reservation era commenced, many Native American dancers and singers joined traveling Wild West shows, such as those directed by William F. ("Buffalo Bill") Cody.1

This exposure led to several key developments:

Fancying it up: Dancers incorporated crowd-pleasing showmanship into their performances, a style that became known as "fancying it up." This influence remains visible today in the popularity of men’s and women’s fancy dances.1
Grand Entry: The precise, predetermined opening parade into the arena used in Wild West shows became the direct ancestor of the contemporary powwow’s Grand Entry. Today, this sequence serves as the formal start of the event and encourages timely attendance among participants.1

These adaptations helped preserve and evolve dance traditions during a period when U.S. and Canadian governmental policies actively suppressed many indigenous cultural practices.1