Recently, a Native American pow wow mainly came to mean a meeting between Native Americans and non-Native Americans which would include dancing, singing, and socializing. A Native American pow wow can also vary in length from hours to days. Major pow wows basically last about a week long.

Pow wows are not sudden events. Always planning a pow wow may take months or even a year in time. There are many people mainly involved in the planning of a Native American pow wow. Usually there is a main sponsor of the pow wow. This may also be an Indian tribe, a local college, or an organization. Mainly from that, a committee is formed to designate certain positions. The main arena director is in charge of the Native American pow wow while the head staff serve under him to actually run the actual event. The arena director always makes sure that things run smoothly, such as the dancers knowing the routines and assigning the judges to any contests. The master of ceremonies is the main voice of the pow wow, keeping everything running smoothly in front of the public. There are head dancers that are responsible for leading the other dancers in both dance and an entry parade to begin the Native American pow wow. The host drum is the main group that mainly provides music for the dancers.

Native American pow wows are usually an Annual event to set up in a series of circles, with the large centre circle being known as the dance arena. The dance arena is basically where the master of ceremony has his table as well as where the drum groups sit. Outside the dance arena are mainly circles used as a sitting area for spectators and an area for booths for vendors selling food or arts and crafts.