Each October, a month designated as “Native American Indian Month,” Indians from around the Nation gather to share part of their culture. Monday, October 14, 2024 is Indigenous Peoples Day, celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October, and is an official city and state holiday in various localities. Also called First People’s Day or Native American Day, it is a day in honor of Native Indigenous Americans in opposition to the celebration of Columbus Day.
The Native American Indian Association of Tennessee welcomes you to a vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, tradition, and community at their 43rd Tennessee Indian Education Pow Wow. This highly anticipated event invites individuals and families of all backgrounds to experience the rich heritage of Native American culture in a dynamic and engaging environment Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Basically, a Pow Wow is a gathering of American Indians who come to dance, celebrate, pray, laugh, and socialize. But for each person, the meaning of the Pow Wow, and their place in the ceremony, can only be defined by themselves. This is an event you will always remember – a three-day festival giving you the opportunity to personally experience the culture and spirit of the American Indian people. Long Hunter State Park has free parking available. Seating will also be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own lawn chairs.
This spirited event is a reunion of family and friends, and for anyone who would like to witness the spectacle and join in the celebration of the culture that is nurtured by more than 20,000 Indians who call Tennessee home today. Come treat yourself to the delights of traditional native food, such as fry bread, Indian tacos, and hominy made the “Indian way.”
You will also enjoy Native American arts & crafts, paintings, Indian jewelry, pottery, pictures, clothing, music, hoop dancing, inter-tribal dancing, storytelling, Indian games, demonstrations, Native American food, Indian tacos, chili, hominy, and fry bread.
Admission daily, cash only, is just $8.00 for Adults and $4.00 for Seniors and Children ages 6-12, with free admission for children 5 and under and persons with disabilities. Gates open at 9 am daily, (with free admission Friday for students & seniors); Opening Ceremonies are at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday. The Pow Wow ends on Sunday at 5 pm. Free parking is adjacent to Pow Wow grounds.
Please understand that Pow Wow is a fun event, but also a sacred event. Ceremonial songs and dances will be performed. Honor and respect the Pow Wow. Do not touch the Dancers or their Regalia. Respect the Elders. Please do not talk while they are speaking on the public address system. Dress appropriately and modestly; revealing clothing is considered disrespectful.
The Native American Indian Association (NAIA) is a private non-profit service agency established in 1980 to help improve the quality of life for Native American people. They seek to raise the level of consciousness of the non-Indian population to a fuller awareness of the past history and current status of Native American Indians by sponsoring, promoting, and conducting seminars, institutes, education programs, and public information activities. Learn more about NAIA and the Pow Wow at: https://naiatn.org/
