<P> A pow - wow session begins with the Grand Entry and, in most cases, a prayer . The Eagle Staff leads the Grand Entry, followed by flags, then the dancers, while one of the host drums sings an opening song . This event is sacred in nature; some pow wows do not allow filming or photography during this time, though others allow it . </P> <P> If military veterans or active duty soldiers are present, they often carry the flags and eagle staffs . They are followed by the head dancers, then the remaining dancers usually enter the arena in a specific order: Men's Traditional, Men's Grass Dance, Men's Fancy, Women's Traditional, Women's Jingle, and Women's Fancy . Teens and small children then follow in the same order . Following the Grand Entry, the MC will invite a respected member of the community to give an invocation . The host drum that did not sing the Grand Entry song will then sing a Flag Song, followed by a Victory or Veterans' Song, during which the flags and staffs are posted at the MC's table . </P> <P> Most of the various types of dances performed at a pow wow are descended from the dances of the Plains tribes of Canada and the United States . Besides those for the opening and closing of a pow wow session, the most common is the intertribal, where a Drum will sing a song and anyone who wants to can come and dance . Similar dances are the round dance; crow hop when performed by a northern drum or a horse stealing song by a southern drum; there is also "double beat", "sneakup" and, for Women's Traditional and Jingle, "sidestep". Each of these songs have a different step to be used during them, but are open for dancers of any style . </P> <P> In addition to the open dances, contest dances for a particular style and age group are often held, with the top winners receiving a cash prize . To compete in a contest, the dancer must be in regalia appropriate for the competition . Larger pow wows have more specific categories . The dance categories vary somewhat by region, but general categories are as follows: </P>

Southern style powwow singing as found in oklahoma is part of the eastern way of singing.​