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How did urbanization contribute to the development of the powwow circuit?
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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.
Following World War II, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs initiated a relocation program that moved thousands of Native Americans from rural reservations into major metropolitan areas, such as Denver, Minneapolis, and cities in California. This urbanization significantly contributed to the development of the modern powwow circuit in several ways:12
- Cultural Diffusion and Collaboration: The migration brought together individuals from diverse tribal backgrounds, sparking a wave of intertribal collaboration. People whose heritage was not from the Plains began to adopt and share Plains-style music and dance, fostering a stronger sense of pan-Indian identity.12
- Event Scaling: As urban populations grew, event sponsors were encouraged to host larger gatherings in metropolitan and, eventually, casino settings.1
- The Powwow Circuit: The concentration of Native populations in cities facilitated the formation of a structured "powwow circuit." This system involves dancers and musicians traveling to competitive events that are often scheduled a year or more in advance, intensifying the level of competition and standardizing the events.1