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Any number of contestants from each lodge may participate in the Individual Dance Contest Championship. The top dancers will be asked to demonstrate their skills at the American Indian Show, at which time they will receive their awards. The Individual Dance Competition will take place on Monday, August 3, 1998. The rules are simple:

1. All contestants must confirm their registration when they arrive at the conference at the American Indian Activities booth or office on Saturday, August 1, or Sunday, August 2, 1998.
2. There will be five categories of individual dance competition: Fancy-Dance (one class). Grass, Straight Dance, Old Style, and Traditional (contemporary traditional). Awards will be given to the top finishing dancers according to the judges' discretion.
3. Dancers must wear appropriate authentic clothing. There are many styles, but they may include as their basic elements: a hair roach, neck and/or back bustles, moccasins, bells, apron (breechcloth), and miscellaneous accessories, such as beaded cuffs, belt, arm bands, choker, headband, etc. War bonnets and chiefs clothing are only acceptable for Old Style competition. In an effort to distinguish between Old Style and Traditional, these categories will be determined by the judging staff. Consideration will be given for bustle type, clout or apron, and quill and beadwork designs. As a general guideline, Old Style is considered as pre 1920. If you are in doubt of which category to dance, please bring a photograph of your dance clothes to registration on Saturday August 1 or Sunday, August 2, 1998. The judges will assist you into the proper category.
4. Dancers must dance in the style of their clothing. In preliminary competition, if you are eliminated in one dance style, you may change outfits and dance in another style, if scheduling time permits. You must be registered in both styles. Dancers may not compete in the finals in more than one category.
5. Losing a major article off your attire during the contest means automatic disqualification. This problem is easily eliminated by having your attire properly maintained and secured tightly.
6. All dancers must be under the age of twenty-one (21). If a question regarding age arises, you will be asked for your proof of age. Driver license, copy of your birth certificate, etc.
7. All dancers must be members of the Order of the Arrow and registered conference participants.
8. Dancers must be prepared to dance indoors or outdoors.
9. Dance practice and outfit construction should not take place during conference activities.
10. Each participant will be issued a contestant number, which must be visible while dancing in any competition.
11. Overstepping the song may lower your placement in the overall standing.
12. NO PARTS OF ANY PROTECTED SPECIES ON ANY OUTFIT. Violation of this rule will result in automatic disqualification . Please be aware of any federal and state laws regarding endangered species parts.
13. Within the guidelines found in the U.S. Code as to the American Flag, flags are not to be used as wearing apparel. With this in mind, no type of U.S. flag(s) will be permitted as part of dance attire. If you have these items on your outfit, please remove them prior to the conference. Flag motifs in quill work and beadwork are acceptable.
14. National Order of the Arrow Face Paint Policy: Order of the Arrow National Conferences and events conducted beyond the individual lodge will not permit face paint, body paint or wigs to be used in social or competition dancing or in ceremonies or ceremonies competition.
15. The Boy Scouts of America policy regarding weapons will be followed.

All dancers are encouraged to participate in the judging of American Indian clothing. This judging will he held immediately before or after the dance competition. Clothing critiques and ribbons will be given out by a panel of selected judges.

The judging criteria will be as determined by the judging committee. All judges' decisions are final.

There will be no competition for individual skill dancing (i.e. hoop, horse tall, etc.) All dancers are encouraged to dance in the Pow Wow on Wednesday at the Founder's Day Festival.

If you have any questions on the Individual Dance Competition, address them to: Wayne Dukes, 915 Washington Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. Or by email: wldukes@bright.net