POWWOW Calendar

The Meskwaki Powwow Where East Meets West

Steve Mohan in Native Currents. Discussion »

California to Rhode Island to England

TAMA, IOWA – Where east meets west. That is the motto of the 98th Annual Meskwaki Powwow. The powwow started from traditional religious and social beliefs of the Meswaki Tribe. The powwow has moved from a religious event to more of a social gathering over the years. The Meskwaki Powwow is derived from the Green Corn Dance and other social events in the early years of the tribe. The Green Corn Dance was an event that surrounded the yearly harvesting of crops.

The Meskwaki Nation is known as the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa. The Meskwaki are the only federally recognized tribe in the state of Iowa. The event is a way for the Meskwaki to preserve many of the foods, dances, arts, and crafts that have been past down throughout the years.

The Meskwaki Powwow is the only one of its kind that is held annually in the state of Iowa and has done so since 1912. The Meskwaki consider their dancers to be the most important part of the powwow. They perform in full dress regalia and the dances have been handed down for many generations. The powwow is a time where the Meskwaki get together and share their culture with friends and newcomers and will continue the tradition into the future.

POWWOW Calendar

Meskwaki Powwow
176 Battleground Road
Tama, IA
August 9 - 12

Samson Cree Naton Powwow
PO Box 159
Hobbema, Alberta
August 9 - 12

18th Annual Sacramento Contest Powwow
O Neil Park, 715 Broadway
Sacramento, CA
August 10 - 12

AIM Honor Our Traditions Powwow
Southfield Rd and River Drive
Lincoln Park, MI
August 10 - 12

COTT Homecoming 2012 and 35th Competition
330 East River Rd
Muncey, Ontario
August 10 - 12

47th Annual Sipayik Indian Day
Sipayik Pleasant Point
Perry, ME
August 10 - 12

59th Annual Standing Buffalo Powwow
Hwy 210
Fort Qu Appelle, Sas
August 10 - 12

Hays Montana Powwow
Old Fairsgrounds
Hays, MT
August 10 - 12

Peoples International Powwow PIPE
Dorchester, England
August 11 - 12

21st Annual Odawa Homecoming Powwow
7500 Odawa Circle
Harbor Springs MI
August 11 - 12

337th Annual August Meeting
Narragansett Indian Church Grounds
Charlestown, RI
August 11 - 12

Spirit of Nations Powwow
3301 Magnolia Avenue
Knoxville, TN
August 11

South Bayfront Powwow
550 West Marina Parkway
Chula Vista, CA
August 11 - 12

photo credit Val Finders Avalos;
posted August 9, 2012 6:40 am edt