How did the Grand Entry become part of modern powwows?

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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.

The Grand Entry of modern powwows evolved from the showmanship practices developed by Indigenous performers during the late 19th-century reservation period. As dancers and singers began traveling with Wild West shows, they incorporated an opening parade into the arena, executed in a precise, predetermined order to appeal to audiences—a practice they referred to as "fancying it up."1

This parade served as the direct ancestor to the contemporary Grand Entry. Today, the Grand Entry functions as the formal commencement of a powwow, where groups of dancers follow a colour guard into the arena in a specific sequence. Beyond its ceremonial significance, the Grand Entry also serves a practical role in modern competition events: it encourages dancers to arrive on time, as those who miss the entry may face deductions in their competition points.1