A term formerly applied to feasts, dances, and public meetings of Indians prior to a grand hunt, a war expedition, or a council. Later it became known as the council itself, where problems and difficulties facing the people were discussed and straightened out.
The term "powwow" was also used to denote a medicine man or "powwow doctor," as well as the conjuring of a medicine man over a patient. The white man took the term, from the Massachuset Indian word pauwau, and used it to mean a political conference or talk.
In most tribes almost everyone held a council, or powwow, to decide various matters. The family held a council to settle family problems. The clans held councils, and the chiefs of the clans formed the tribal council. On occasions of great emergencies, a grand council was held, which was composed of chiefs and subchiefs, the women and head warriors of the families, and the leading men of the tribe.
The largest council was that of the Confederacy, where representatives of all the allied tribes met.
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