How did World War I veterans help revive Native homecoming dances?

Following the end of World War I, the revival of Native homecoming dances was directly fostered by celebrations held to honor the return of Indigenous veterans.1

Prior to this period, traditional warrior society dances—which formed the foundation for later powwow styles—had nearly disappeared due to the suppression of Native cultural practices by the United States and Canadian governments. The homecoming celebrations for veterans helped break this suppression and encouraged a new sense of pan-Indian kinship and friendship among different tribes. As interaction between nations increased, these homecoming events—often referred to as picnics or fairs—began to include members of neighboring tribes, a practice that expanded further as the use of automobiles became more common.1