Which Powwow is a Must See for the Powwow Virgin?

[greagirl]

Yes, I confess it. I am still a virgin...a powwow virgin. I have been heartily assured that should I attend a powwow and hear the drums that my wayward hearty helping of Native blood would rise up and do the brown skin boogie. (Sorry I have not the gadgetry as one person here apparently has to measure my exact percentage of Native blood (and more impressively down to the 1/2% (laugh)). Being ever scientific and well, easily amused, I am quite willing to test this hypothesis (obviously after undergoing a stringent physical evaluation first).

So herein lies my question to you, good folks of Powwow Land…or Ville if you prefer. Wait, I think I prefer Ville. Yes, let’s just stick with Ville for right now. Of course you all could also be a township. Not tribe though….tribe is to prosaic is it not? Linguistic semantics aside….

Which Powwow is the most informative, the most reflective on Native culture and its tenets….the most educational if you will and why? What must one absolutely see/do when one is there? What is there for one to do/see when one is there?

Thank you in advance for you kind cooperation.

Sincerely.

Queen of All That She Surveys. Shy delicate flower with dewey petals.

Grea.

(What can I say? I'm feeling frisky in all of my Indigo glory. (wink. wink.))

[ma-heench]

Winnebago Powwow

I can't believe that since Christmas no one has answered your powwow question.

The most important and best powwow in powwow country, my husband might disagree, is the Winnebago Powwow in Winnebago Nebraska the last full weekend of July. Winnebago is located just 20 minutes south of Sioux City and has been going on now for 140 consecutive verified years. This powwow has the finest arena with full 20 levels of covered bleachers and a campground shaded by the biggest trees that have been there forever. It is an historical site that will give you a rare and unique vision of the origins of powwow, from fancy dance to our own traditional women's dance performed in the most vibrant aray of colors of ribbonwork.

Camping is available w/showers on site and meals are provided daily by families who wish to honor their veterans whose flags are flown daily from every pole in the arena.

[greagirl]

Prickly Things That Go Prick in the Night

I suppose I managed to offend their fragile Indian sensibilities. (laugh)...which I don't know is meant to discourge me or encourge me...

I can't believe that since Christmas no one has answered your powwow question.

The most important and best powwow in powwow country, my husband might disagree, is the Winnebago Powwow in Winnebago Nebraska the last full weekend of July. Winnebago is located just 20 minutes south of Sioux City and has been going on now for 140 consecutive verified years. This powwow has the finest arena with full 20 levels of covered bleachers and a campground shaded by the biggest trees that have been there forever. It is an historical site that will give you a rare and unique vision of the origins of powwow, from fancy dance to our own traditional women's dance performed in the most vibrant aray of colors of ribbonwork.

Camping is available w/showers on site and meals are provided daily by families who wish to honor their veterans whose flags are flown daily from every pole in the arena.

[greagirl]

Grea Area

Does this place have any accomodations for those of us who feel that eating a $ menu burger roughing it enough? I mean nature is great and all, but I would just prefer to have 4 walls and a bed when I slumber. Nebraska? How the weather that time of year. I have an intense natural adversion to the cold and the blatant inability to wrap my head around the fact that people actually live in the cold VOLUNTARILY.

Thanks much for digging me out of the trash shoot to fill me with your insite.

Feeling sinful in Sienna....
Grea.

I can't believe that since Christmas no one has answered your powwow question.

The most important and best powwow in powwow country, my husband might disagree, is the Winnebago Powwow in Winnebago Nebraska the last full weekend of July. Winnebago is located just 20 minutes south of Sioux City and has been going on now for 140 consecutive verified years. This powwow has the finest arena with full 20 levels of covered bleachers and a campground shaded by the biggest trees that have been there forever. It is an historical site that will give you a rare and unique vision of the origins of powwow, from fancy dance to our own traditional women's dance performed in the most vibrant aray of colors of ribbonwork.

Camping is available w/showers on site and meals are provided daily by families who wish to honor their veterans whose flags are flown daily from every pole in the arena.

[Wakalapi]

If camping isn't for you, try doing a www.dexonline.com yellow pages lookup for motels in the area. I don't know how close that powwow is to a city of any noticeable size, but you can always try www.priceline.com.

AS FAR AS other powwows, what part of the country do you live in? There are powwows all over the fruited plain, year 'round. I'd recommend getting a well-rounded taste of the powwow scene by attending at least two very different types: the big blown-out contest powwow and the local traditional or smaller contest powwow. You will notice that each type has its following.

Big contest powwows have more of a "production" feel with everything seemingly in a hurry to get every category danced and out of the way, but you will see the best dancers and hear the best drums in the region.

Small traditional powwows have more of a relaxed feel, but depending on who shows up and who's running it, things can get weird and I've been to smaller dances where certain people can get preachy and it just seems that they tend to ceremonial things just for show. Other smaller gigs are great. It's hit and miss.

[greagirl]

Where oh where has my little dog gone?

I'm in lovely Houston, TX. Not exactly the Native headquarters of America. (grin) I think the closest res is in Livingston - The Alabama Coushatta. It's an hour away but I've never been up there. I guess it has a lot to do with the scary res stories I've heard. (grin) I've been planning to pop up for a short spell for the last 3 years or so but I have never quite gotten around to it. (laugh)

Thanks much!

Outrageous in Orange.

Grea.

If camping isn't for you, try doing a www.dexonline.com yellow pages lookup for motels in the area. I don't know how close that powwow is to a city of any noticeable size, but you can always try www.priceline.com.

AS FAR AS other powwows, what part of the country do you live in? There are powwows all over the fruited plain, year 'round. I'd recommend getting a well-rounded taste of the powwow scene by attending at least two very different types: the big blown-out contest powwow and the local traditional or smaller contest powwow. You will notice that each type has its following.

Big contest powwows have more of a "production" feel with everything seemingly in a hurry to get every category danced and out of the way, but you will see the best dancers and hear the best drums in the region.

Small traditional powwows have more of a relaxed feel, but depending on who shows up and who's running it, things can get weird and I've been to smaller dances where certain people can get preachy and it just seems that they tend to ceremonial things just for show. Other smaller gigs are great. It's hit and miss.

[Wakalapi]

Although I personally think some of the best powwows are "on the rez", you CAN find a powwow nearby sometimes even if you don't live near an Indian Reservation. For example, lots of universities, colleges, high schools and even some middle and elementary schools host annual "student Indian club" powwows. And they're not that bad, though most are small and are either traditional or they might have small contest payouts.

[Mr Oakley]

You can check out Marksville, LA or Red Earth on OKC.

[kiyaanii mom]

I'm in lovely Houston, TX. Not exactly the Native headquarters of America. (grin) I think the closest res is in Livingston - The Alabama Coushatta. It's an hour away but I've never been up there. I guess it has a lot to do with the scary res stories I've heard. (grin) I've been planning to pop up for a short spell for the last 3 years or so but I have never quite gotten around to it. (laugh)

Thanks much!

Outrageous in Orange.

Grea.

Hey the Alabama Coushatta have a pretty decent powwow. But if you are wanting to get a "big bang" from your first experience. Then check out Red Earth in Oklahoma City the first weekend in July (I think) There is probably info on the powwow Calendar page. It's indoor, air conditioned, and that's the powwow when you will see more than just the Okies. They usually have some decent drum groups from all over the U.S. + the best of Oklahoma. (southern style).

Don't be disappointed if your "wayward hearty helping of Native blood" doesn't rise up. At least you won't be a virgin any more.

[greagirl]

Virtues Abound

I always thought that virginity was one of the marks of the virtuous. (laugh) I don't know if I want to venture too far this year. I've been traveling quite a lot this year and still I'm supposed to be taking trips to Hawaii and Orlando this summer. I also want to take a trip somewhere in December as well. No where cold of course....

That being said, it will probably be next year before I plan a trip around an out of state powie wowie. But I am collecting this information and will keep it in mind for next year.

Warming the world with the heat of my halo.

Grea.

Hey the Alabama Coushatta have a pretty decent powwow. But if you are wanting to get a "big bang" from your first experience. Then check out Red Earth in Oklahoma City the first weekend in July (I think) There is probably info on the powwow Calendar page. It's indoor, air conditioned, and that's the powwow when you will see more than just the Okies. They usually have some decent drum groups from all over the U.S. + the best of Oklahoma. (southern style).

Don't be disappointed if your "wayward hearty helping of Native blood" doesn't rise up. At least you won't be a virgin any more.

[between2worlds]

There is always National Powwow 2007

...it will probably be next year before I plan a trip around an out of state powie wowie. But I am collecting this information and will keep it in mind for next year

Grea -

According to the last email I traded with Leonda Levchuk the next National Powwow will take place in 2007 with the "location TBD."

powwows.com poll rated the National the 3rd best powwow in 2005 and it -was- an awesome contest powwow. Of course, living just outside of DC it was also conveniently close for me. I'm hoping they will have the next one in DC but since NMAI does have an extension in New York City as well it is vaguely possible next year's could be held out of the DC area.

At any rate, something to keep in mind if your list is for -next- year.

~b2w

[greagirl]

Thank everyone for their input. Perhaps by 2007 I will be ready to jump into the great unknown.

[Kiiwedinong]

Them Pow Wows they have out in England and Denmark are the dopest in the world. Heck I'd go check those out before witnessing any of them here. Go For It!!!!!
shesh.

[greagirl]

Them Pow Wows they have out in England and Denmark are the dopest in the world. Heck I'd go check those out before witnessing any of them here. Go For It!!!!!
shesh.

England and Denmark? So long as you book your seat first and go along ahead of me to make sure everything is properly prepared for my arrival.

Oozing sweetness and light....

Grea.

[Migiziwomen]

Gather all thee Nations!!!!

helloooooo, Gathering Of Nations Powwow. that is rihgt in New Mexico, you should go to that. And i have to agree that some of the best can be found on the Rez., but i do love those one dayers. you seem kick As* my friend.