The most modern of women's dances, Fancy Shawl is also the most athletic. There are many stories on the dance, many of which have to do with the butterfly, which the dance is said to mimick.

It is said that the butterfly had lost her mate, and she went into mourning. When she finally came out, she celebrated live with such sheer brilliance, that she seemed to dance around. It is said that once, when young women came out of mourning, they danced this dance.

Now, the Fancy Shawl dance is one of the more popular dances, and you can find at least one at every powwow across the nation, no matter how big or small. The dance, considered the women's counterpart to Men's Fancy Dance, involves high kicks and twirls, using the shawl as a major accent. (Once, the dance steps were smaller and closer to the ground.)

The dress can be a simple T-dress, to a skirt and blouse combination, made in a variety of cloth and styles. The shawl is decorated with long fringe, from 12 to 18 inches in length, and can be ribbon appliqued, painted, or any number of things. Designs can have tribal and/or personal significance to the dancer. Foot wear can be either high beaded, Northern style moccasins, or leggins with low moccasins, both of with are decorated to match the rest of the outfit.

It is said that the Fancy Shawl dance is so graceful, that the grass does not even bend under the dancer's feet. The dance is full of individual style, and like the other dances, the dancer must stop with both feet on the ground on the last beat.

This page was set up on October 19^th, 1997.