Standing Bear Powwow begins tonight

Six tribes – the Kaw, Osage, Otoe-Missouria, Pawnee, Ponca and Tonkawa – gather each year for the Standing Bear Powwow to celebrate their tribal heritage. They sing, drum and compete in intricate and powerful dances, don colorful tribal regalia and share meals while catching up with each other. And they invite the public, native and non-native alike, to learn, celebrate and be inspired alongside them.

Standing Bear Powwow, one of the most significant American Indian events in the United States,  is held in Ponca City the last Friday and Saturday of each September.

The Standing Bear Powwow first took place in 1995, organized to help non-native people gain a deeper understanding of the significant contribution of native cultures to the history and heritage of Oklahoma and the United States. Because the powwow is truly inter-tribal (it is more customary for powwows to focus on one tribe), it is one of the more unusual American Indian events in the nation.

The powwow begins on Friday evening with gourd dancing, followed by the Grand Entry. On Saturday, gourd dancing begins in the early afternoon and continues throughout the day. Food vendors and artisan booths featuring Native American arts and crafts are ever-present. A Saturday evening meal is served free to the public, and Walker says the meal typically features some traditional foods such as corn soup or fry bread made by Native American families.

The Standing Bear Powwow is free and open to the public and the site features ample parking. Seating is limited, so visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or camp stools.