POWWOW Calendar

Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma Holds Its 136th Annual Powwow

Steve Mohan in Native Currents. Discussion »

WHITE EAGLE, OKLAHOMA - For the past 136 years the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, or Ponca Nation, have held their annual powwow. The Ponca Tribe powwow was where the first Fancy Dance Championship was held. This year, the Ponca Powwow runs from Thursday until Sunday.

Last Year's Fancy Dance Competition

Each year the Ponca crown the Ponca Powwow Princess and this year the crown was designed by Constance Cole who is a member of the Ponca tribe. Cole has designed the crown as a tribute to Chief White Eagle and all of his descendants. White Eagle was chief of the Ponca during what is perhaps the hardest time the tribe has faced, its relocation to Oklahoma.

The Ponca were never at war with the United States where they instead were able to reach peace treaties with them throughout the 1800s. Although in the end, like many other tribes, they were forced to move to Oklahoma. The Ponca forced relocation was mismanaged and nearly wiped the tribe out. They arrived in their new home too late to plant crops and with the government failing to provide them with enough aid they lost a third of their entire tribe during the first year.

The Ponca have come a long way in the past 150 years and their powwow has stood the test of time. Tribal members, friends, and family meet every year and share stories and have fun together for the weekend. With that kind of commitment there is no reason they cannot continue this tradition for another 136 years.

POWWOW Calendar

136th Annual Ponca Powwow
20 White Eagle Dr
White Eagle, OK
August 23 - 26

The Gathering
Rattle Snake Rd
Rushville, IL
August 24 - 26

50th Annual ICMN Summer Powwow
405 E 4th Street
Tonganoxie, KS
August 24 - 26

Palas 5th Annual Honoring Traditions
11154 Highway 76
Pala, CA
August 24 - 26

White Eagle Multicultural Powwow
Hawkeye Antique Acres
Waukee, IA
August 24 - 26

39th Annual Wild Rice Festival Powwow
St Croix Casino
Danbury, WI
August 24 - 26

Lucky Star Casino Annual Powwow
101 N Indian Hospital Rd
Clinton, OK
August 24 - 26

Kwantlen First Nation Powwow
23601 Gabriel Lane
Fort Langley, BC
August 24 - 26

Frog Lake Northern Canadian Powwow
Frog Lake First Naton
Frog Lake, Powwow
August 24 - 26

UTE Mountain Casino Annual Powwow
UTE Mountain
Towaoc, CO
August 24 - 26

Spirit of the Wolf Native Festival
Hagaman Rd
Broadalbin, NY
August 25 - 26

2nd Eastern Woodland Gathering
4100 West Third St
Dayton, OH
August 25 - 26

19th Annual Potawatomi trails Powwow
Emmuas and 27th
Zion, IL
August 25 - 26

Mountain Spirit Powwow
104 School Rd
Spraggs, PA
August 25 - 26

Rama Powwow 2012
5884 Rama Rd
Rama, Ontario
August 25 - 26

Turtle Clan Intertribal Gathering
230 Blossom Rd
Hebron, NY
August 25 - 26

posted August 23, 2012 7:00 am edt