<P> The Straight Dance, also known as Southern Straight Dance or Southern Traditional, is a style of Native American pow wow dancing . The dance recounts the story of hunting or war parties searching for the enemy . </P> <P> The Straight Dance is attributed to the Southern Plains tribes in Oklahoma . The Hethuska, a prominent war society of the Poncas, is commonly attributed with the creation of the dance; however, the Pawnee, Omaha, Osage, and Kiowa tribes have sometimes been credited with creating the dance . In the 20th century, when several warrior societies began to dissolve, the purpose of the war dances changed . The Straight Dance evolved from these war dances as a way to keep the tradition and history . </P> <P> The Straight Dance is considered to be more dignified or formal than other pow wow dances . The general steps for the dance involve a "toe - heel" step where the dancer taps the ground with his toe on the first drum beat and then places his whole foot down on the second beat . The dance resembles a hunting or warring party and therefore the dancer must not dance backwards as that would symbolize a retreat from the enemy . Instead they always dance clockwise around the circle . As a Southern dance, it is danced to a Southern Drum . </P>

Where did this dance originate northern or southern plains