• The long prairie grass swayed in the hot summer sun. The young American Indian man, fasting and praying as he watched the grass dance in the wind, soon saw himself dancing in a similar manner. But how could this be, since he had been born without the full use of his legs? The Medicine Man in his village interpreted his vision. The boy asked his mother to make an outfit in which to dance using the prairie grass. He was covered from shoulder to ankle with long, thick, bright multi-colored fringes made of yarn or ribbon. He showed his father how he would dance, using much shoulder, arm and head movements. His footwork would appear like he was stumbling. A song was composed for him. He showed the village his style of dance.
• This is how the grass dance originated, according to American Indians in the Northern Plains.
• The grass dance is one of the dance styles common at a modern powwow.
• While a powwow is defined as a gathering of American Indians and can take place for many reasons, it is often associated with dance.
• Each session of a wacipi (the Lakota word for powwow, pronounced "wah chee pea") begins with the grand entry. The eagle staff and various flags lead the way into the dance arena. The flags represent nations, families and communities. When

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