Having a giveaway is appropriate for the major events in your life--being head dancer, entering the arena in you dance clothes for the first time, bringing a child into the arena for the first time, coming out of mourning, etc. For this type of honoring, you will need to make arrangements with the head singer (and pay him for the song) and coordinate the timing with the MC. You should coordinate with your speaker as to what he will say about you and the event. Ask the MC to announce your honoring with something like: "At this time Bill has requested a special in honor of being the head man dancer. Joe will be speaking for Bill after the song. We ask that all friends and relations join bill during his special." This type of special will have a receiving line following the completion of the song and then the giveaway.
Remember, the main principle is that you are honoring an event in your life--things should be done in a dignified manner. Another basic principle is to simply do the best you can--do not worry about whether or not your giveaway is as big or nice as someone elses.
How you conduct yourself and the meaning you put into your giveaway is what really matters.Here is the a recommended order in most giveaways:
1.The person speaking for you
2.The man who led the song
3.Principals:
1.Head Singer
2.Head Man Dancer
3.Head Lady Dancer
4.Head Gourd Dancer
5.Head Veteran Dancer
6.Master of Ceremonies
7.Princesses
4.Organizations (Host of the event)
5.Veterans
6.Members of the Drums
7.Individuals
8.Groups of people
1.Elders
2.Children
3.People who traveled distance
4.Any other desired group--mother, fathers, etc.
9.Put money collected in receiving line on the drum
Since it is the role of the family to support you in your giveaway, family members are not usually called. An alternative to calling individual is to give to them during the dance or in camp before or after the dance. Just have your speaker mention that in the interest of time, you are/will be/have been giving gifts to individuals "outside of the arena". Also, if the dance is on a special weekend or in conjunction with an event, you might want to call that "special" group. It recognizes those people and places a little more emphasis on the date.
As far as what to give, the two primary "categories" are food and shelter--thus the normality of gifts like blankets, shawls, and basket /boxes of food. However, just about anything of value/utility is acceptable--craft items, craft supplies, household supplies, etc.
One note for speakers at a giveaway: never apologize for the time used. A giveaway is a very appropriate use of time, an apology is not in order. Thank everyone for the time used, but do not apologize. And do your best to minimize the time consumed--try to time your calling of names so that there is only a few seconds of "dead time" between the people reaching the person having the giveaway.
