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Autumn brings Native American events to Oklahoma

17th October 2012 Print
Choctaw Pow Wow

As the mild temperatures of autumn’s Indian Summer descend upon Oklahoma, the state’s renowned American Indian heritage is brought to life every year with a variety of Native American festivals, events and powwows.

Oklahoma’s rich Native American heritage is famously diverse, with 39 federally recognized tribes headquartered in Oklahoma.  As autumn ushers in cooler temperatures, gorgeous foliage and a vibrant event season, you can experience Oklahoma’s diversity firsthand by attending a number of time-honoured Native American events held throughout the state.

These annual events, which range from single tribe celebrations to large intertribal powwows, are key to keeping the traditions of Oklahoma’s Native American ancestors alive.  Tap into the spirit of the powwow by witnessing Native dancing, singing and artistry.  Mesmerizing colours captivate and soulful sounds resonate during these activities, where customs are preserved for the future.

Choctaw Eighth Annual Pow Wow
2 Day Event - Friday and Saturday, November 23rd and 24th

This major event is a special time for the Choctaw Nation to celebrate what makes them the great Nation they are and also allows members of the surrounding communities to come and experience their culture in a way that is not usually accessible to those outside the community.

In the 1820s, both the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian nations were under increasing pressure from white settlers squatting on their lands. The U.S. government wanted the two nations to cede ancestral lands in the South and remove themselves to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.  For the Choctaw, their lands were primarily in Mississippi and Alabama; for the Chickasaw, their homes were in parts of Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama and Tennessee. Because of this close proximity, the nations were on familiar terms with each other. With the Indian Removal Act of 1830, forced relocation – also known as the “Trail of Tears,” due to the illness and deaths that occurred during the journey – became a reality for both nations, although their removal to Oklahoma took place at different times. - choctawcasinos.com

Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival & Powwow - Tuskahoma

An incredibly popular send-off to summer, the annual Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival & Powwow is an impressive showcase of Choctaw Nation traditions.  This event, which seems to increase in size every year, features everything from an intertribal powwow to live performances by some of music’s biggest stars.   Watch as Miss Choctaw Nation is crowned at the Choctaw Princess Pageant, visit the Choctaw Village to see flint knapping, stickball and silversmith demonstrations, and witness the intense competition of the annual stickball tournament.  Hang around for free concerts – past performers include Ronnie Milsap, Travis Tritt and Vince Gill.

Visitors to the annual Choctaw Nation Labor Day Festival are also invited to take tours of the Choctaw Nation Museum and view the art show held there.  Make sure to attend the intertribal powwow and admire the vibrant regalia of the American Indian dancers during the gourd dance, grand entry and dance competitions.  The men and boys compete in dance categories including straight, traditional, grass and fancy dance, while the women and girls compete in cloth, buckskin, jingle dress and fancy shawl dance categories.

Standing Bear Powwow - Ponca City

The renowned Standing Bear Powwow, one of the most significant, long-standing Native American events in the country, brings together the six north-central tribes of Oklahoma for displays of spectacular regalia and intertribal dancing.  Come to this free public event to witness the breathtaking movement of dance around Ponca City’s outdoor powwow grounds, as well as the crowning of the Standing Bear Princess.  The event begins with gourd dancing, leading straight to the grand entry, where all powwow participants line up to display the pageantry and spirit of the powwow.  Check out various arts and craft booths featuring jewelry, sculpture, paintings and more, then stick around Saturday night for a traditional meal of corn soup and fry bread.  Members of the Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa tribes will all be represented.

Powwow of Champions - Tulsa

In Tulsa you can see the powerful sights and sounds of Native dancers in the Mabee Center during the annual Powwow of Champions event.  A major intertribal competition, the Powwow of Champions celebrates the artistry of traditional dancers as they stomp and twirl around the arena to the intoxicating beat of drums.  Browse eye-catching paintings, pottery, jewellery, clothing and crafts in the Native American arts and crafts market before checking out the powwow, or simply grab an Indian taco and settle in to watch the grand entry, followed by a variety of dance competitions.  From junior girls’ buckskin and jingle dancing to senior men’s traditional, straight and grass dancing, you’ll witness precise dance steps set to powerful drumbeats as the dancers compete for top honours.  

Cherokee National Holiday - Tahlequah

Immerse yourself in Cherokee heritage at the Cherokee National Holiday in Tahlequah.  This event, a gathering of Native American families and communities, commemorates the signing of the Cherokee Constitution in 1839 following the Cherokee removal to Oklahoma.  Open to the public and founded in 1953, this event has expanded to feature a juried art show, arts and crafts booths, a car show, and a competitive stickball game, among many other activities.

Don’t miss the intertribal powwow, a mix of traditional elements and other categories such as men’s Northern drum and women’s Cherokee tear dress.  Check out the holiday parade to see the Cherokee Nation colour guard, dancers and royalty, and stick around for the cook-off, where a variety of native dishes, including fry bread and dessert dumplings, will be judged and served to the public.  Bring the kids out to this event, where they’ll have plenty to keep them occupied, such as Children’s Fun Days and a fishing derby.

Oklahoma Indian Summer - Bartlesville

Oklahoma Indian Summer, a world-class Native American event that has been hosted by Bartlesville for over 20 years, brings creativity center stage.  Browse the impressive fine arts market where over 30 artists display their works for viewing and for sale, and a youth art show puts the talents of local students on display.  Craft and cultural demonstrations, along with Native American storytelling, enrich this festival and make it as educational as it is entertaining.  An intertribal powwow will take place on both Friday and Saturday evening, at which the Oklahoma Indian Summer Princess will be crowned and contestants will vie for first place in the dance competitions.

Chickasaw Annual Meeting & Festival - Tishomingo

The culture of the Chickasaw Nation comes alive during the Chickasaw Annual Meeting & Festival, a week-long event held in south-central Oklahoma’s Chickasaw Country.  Activities are scheduled throughout the week, but the main events roll out on the festival’s final Saturday.  Start your day with the State of the Nation address, then head out to Pennington Park for a day of fun.  The park fills with inflatables, a petting zoo and make-and-take tents, where children can play for hours.  Arts and crafts vendors will showcase Native American arts and crafts, and a vast array of food will be available.

Visit the southeastern art show and market on the capitol grounds, and learn from cultural demonstrations.  Watch the parade downtown and enjoy the spectacle of dancers in full regalia, floats decorated in Chickasaw style, tribal dignitaries and more.  In nearby Sulphur, tour the Chickasaw Cultural Center, try a traditional Chickasaw meal in the Aaimpa Café and experience breathtaking cultural exhibits.  An action-packed rodeo closes out the festival with a bang.

Comanche Nation Fair - Lawton

Visitors to the Comanche Nation Fair in Lawton will enjoy an array of festivities, from archery competitions and art shows, to bull riding and a rodeo.  Children will have a blast at the free kid’s carnival, while adults can check out classic hot rods in the car show.  Known as the largest American Indian event of southwest Oklahoma, the Comanche Nation Fair also invites festival-goers to check out popular sporting tournaments, traditional storytelling and a free concert.  Observe a variety of dance contests in the powwow and take in the vivid colors of dancers decked out in dresses of feathers and elaborate beadwork as they compete in categories from Tiny Tots to Golden Age.  In addition to these activities, a hot dog feed, teen dance and fun run are also scheduled.

Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society Ceremonial - Anadarko

In honour of warriors and veterans, the Kiowa Black Leggings Warrior Society Ceremonial in Anadarko focuses on Native Americans in the military and their sacrifices, both for their tribe and country.  Participants of this outdoor ceremony wear red capes, a black string shawl and darkened legs.  Legend has it that the Kiowa received blackened legs from running back onto a battlefield after it had been burned by fire – the tribe keeps this battle-worthy tradition alive by wearing black leggings or painting their legs black.  During the ceremony, tribe members also carry a lance, each one decorated to reflect the owner’s military past.  At this event, you’ll see military re-enactments, and keynote speakers will address the crowds.  War hoops, ceremonial drums and rifle fire are among the sounds at this dramatic event, where participants sing war-related songs created especially for this ceremony.

Miami NOW: Native Oklahoma Weekend - Miami

Held at the Miami County Fairgrounds, all ages will have a great time at the activity-packed Miami NOW: Native Oklahoma Weekend in Miami.  Kidz Alley keeps children entertained with pony rides, a climbing wall, face painting, scavenger hunt, magician and more, and parents can admire classic and modified vehicles at the Endless Memories Car Show, as well as enjoy live entertainment all weekend.  Dachshund races, a carnival, chili cook-off and a 5K run are also on the agenda for this event.  Visit the main arena to experience Native American dance demonstrations, storytelling, singing and the Dance of Champions. Watch a stickball game, and make sure to visit the Native American arts and craft vendors for unique jewelry, artwork, pottery and sculpture.

For more information about the festivals and events mentioned above, click on the links located under the map on the right side of this page.  The links will direct you to event dates, details, contact information and more! - travelok.com

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Choctaw Pow Wow