Winter Pow Wow -
March 6 & 7, 2010
Indain Summer Heats Up
State Fair Park
Traditional Pow Wow with traditional food and marketplace.
Pow Wow Poster
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23nd Annual Competition Pow Wow
September 11-13, 2009
2009 Pow Wow Winners
Grand Entries:
Dance Categories and Prize Money
Friday: 4 pm to 11pm; 7pm Grand Entry
Saturday: Noon to 11pm; 1pm and 7pm Grand Entries
Sunday: 11 am to 7 pm; 1 pm Grand Entry
Host Drum: |
Midnight Express |
Emcee’s: |
Dale Old Horn and Terry Fiddler |
Arena Director: |
Marty Pinnecoose |
Head Dance Judge : |
Jonathan Windy Boy |
Head Drum Judge: |
Darrin Old Coyote |
Head Veteran: |
Paul Cloud |
A lively and uplifting combination of traditional dancing, singing and storytelling, no event allows you to experience the passion and culture of the American Indian people quite like a Pow Wow. Drums pound, feet stomp and bright colors swirl in a vibrant pageant of music and celebration.
A Pow Wow brings together members of many American Indian tribes to renew old friendships, create new ones and both share and preserve the centuries-old traditions of their respective tribes. But the Indian Summer Pow Wow enhances the celebration with an exciting element of competition.
Tribe members compete for top honors in specific traditional dance and age group categories, vying for cash prizes and great prestige among their peers. As they begin, an emcee explains the meaning and significance of each dance to the audience.
Combining a traditional and social aspect, these dances play a vital role in preserving the cultural heritage of all American Indian tribes. While some dance styles and content have changed over the years, their meaning and importance to American Indians have not.
Setting the rhythm for each dance is a powerful drumbeat, which remains at the heart of modern American Indian culture. Two types of drums are used at most Pow Wows: the traditional drum, made by stretching hides over a cylindrical frame and lacing them together with rawhide, and a regular modern bass drum. Both types are greatly respected by all tribes.
Many of the songs themselves have evolved as time has passed. Originally, each song or chant was sung in the native language of the tribe that composed it. However, as different tribes gathered, they would share songs, often changing them so singers from other tribes could join in. With these changes came the use of “vocables” to replace certain words of the old songs. Today, the words of some songs have been completely replaced by vocables, though they still hold special meaning to those who know the song. Other songs are still sung entirely in their native tongue. In either case, these songs remain an important reminder to the Indian people of their rich heritage.