November 8
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
at the U.S. Grant High School Gym

● 12:00 pm  Doors open to the public and vendor tables are open

● 1:00 pm Powwow begins with Gourd Dance

● 5:00 pm Free Supper to all those in attendance (while supplies last)

● 5:45 pm Crowning of our new Miss Native American OKCPS

● 6:00 pm Grand Entry (if you have never been to a pow-wow, this is the best time to come)

● 6:30pm Contests/ dance

• Head Singer: Kiowa Cozad

• Head Man Dancer: Landon Primeaux

• Head Lady Dancer: Jaelyn Olsen

• Head Boy Dancer: Ashkii Stumblingbear

• Head Girl Dancer: Graison Yellowfish

• Head Gourd Dancer: David Hank Bible 

• MC: JR Ross

• AD: Marshal Williamson 

Youth Categories (7-17 yrs old unless specified)

• Tiny Tots (6 and under) 

• Youth Girls Buckskin 

• Youth Girls Jingle

• Youth Girls Cloth 

• Youth Girls Fancy Shawl 

• Youth Boys Straight

• Youth Boys Grass 

• Youth Boys Traditional 

• Youth Boys Fancy

ADULT Categories (18 years old and above)

• Women’s Cloth 

• Women’s Fancy Shawl 

• Women’s Buckskin

• Women’s Jingle

• Men’s Straight 

• Men’s Grass 

• Men’s Traditional 

• Men’s Fancy 

Powwow Committee reserves the right to combine categories if needed.

Pow-wows are Native American social gatherings that celebrate and sustain our Native American culture and values. There are pow-wows that happen all over Oklahoma year around. At Oklahoma Pow-wows, you will see singers around a drum in the center of an arena, you will hear Native American songs, you will see dancers in the circle arena, you can purchase crafts from Native American vendors, you can buy food from Native American vendors and you may even feel something positive you can’t quite explain. Pow-wows are family friendly events that are drug and alcohol free. There are many customs, traditions and protocols that happen during pow-wows that visitors might not know about.

Yes! You may take pictures at a pow-wow. You can take photos of social dances called “Intertribals”. However, if you want to take a picture of an individual dancer, you must ask their permission first. Please don't be offended if they do not want their picture taken. Just ask another dancer.

Please refrain from calling a dancer’s outfit “a costume.” Costumes are something you wear to pretend that you are something you are not. When we dress in our Tribal outfits, we wear them because it is who we are! Using the word costume can be offensive to some Native people in their traditional regalia. More appropriate words are “regalia”, “outfit”, “traditional clothing”, or even attire. You might say something like “I love your traditional outfit. Who made it?”

Please do not touch anyone’s regalia, feathers or hair. Dancer’s outfits are custom made, might have feathers on them and many items are very special and have a specific meaning. It takes a lot of time, money, energy and love to make these outfits. Sometimes, it can take a whole family to make one outfit for a loved one. Some of the items may be centuries old being passed down from generation to generation and they must be handled with the utmost care and are very special items. Some items might be sacred like feathers. Please do not touch any feathers on someone's outfit. Many Tribes have different types of feathers that hold significant importance or are considered sacred. Some of our men dancers have large feather or eagle bustles on their backs. If they walk by you, please give them some space to pass through so their feathers won't touch you. Feathers are earned and are treated with much care. We wear our feathers with pride, honor and dignity. So when admiring a dancer’s outfit, feel free to ask questions or comment, just remember to Look but Don’t Touch.

The Gourd dance is a dance that is very specific to Oklahoma. It is a dance to Honor our Veterans. Grand Entry is the start of the war dance portion of the powwow, During Grand Entry, you will see ALL the dancers parade into the arena with others in their own dance category. The Grand Entry is usually led by Veterans from a Color guard honoring our country, state and Tribal flags. You will then see individuals who were chosen to be leaders of men, women and youth for the pow-wow and they are called “Head Staff” or Head Lady, Head Man and Head Youth boy or girl. You will also see various young ladies with banners and crowns who represent their Tribes or organizations as their royalty. You will also see our school district’s Miss Native American OKCPS represented during Grand Entry.

Of course! Visitors and guests are welcome and invited to join in the social dances. Some of those social dances are the Round Dance, Intertribal Dance or Two-Step. The round dance, sometimes called the Friendship dance, usually takes place after the Grand Entry. When the MC (Master of Ceremonies) says it's an intertribal dance then that means everyone is welcome to come out and dance in the arena. Towards the end of the dance, they usually do a ladies choice dance also known as The Two-Step. You are welcome to grab your partner and follow the leader in the arena.

Pow-wows are either indoors or outside. For indoor dances, you should bring a lawn chair (but many times they have bleachers), cash, and something to drink. For outdoor dances, you should bring a lawn chair, cash, something to drink, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, etc.

Pow-wows are a casual event. You may see some men and women dressed nicely, but dressing casual is acceptable. We encourage women to not wear anything revealing - our Native women are taught to be modest and presentable. Definitely wear comfortable shoes!

There are many things to do at a pow-wow. You can watch, listen, learn, visit with your family and friends, shop at the vendor tables for Native arts and crafts, purchase raffle tickets for raffle items and eat some yummy food! We have 15-20 vendors of different Native artwork, raffle Items, cakewalk and 50/50 for sale, and concession stand.

Yes, OKCPS students and family members are encouraged to attend and volunteer to help if they choose too. It’s a great way to learn and be more involved at a

pow-wow.

Every pow-wow is different. Check the pow-wow’s flyer or poster for specific times.

For our OKCPS pow-wow, here is our schedule:

● Noon Doors open to the public and vendor tables are open

● 1:00 pm Powwow begins with Gourd Dance

● 5:00 pm Free Supper to all those in attendance

● 5:30 pm Crowning of our new Miss Native American OKCPS

● 6:00 pm Grand Entry (if you have never been to a pow-wow, this is the best time to come)

● 6:30pm Contests/ dance

Please note that although times are given, pow-wows can be very flexible and fluid with time. Native people make sure we give enough time that is needed for different dances, family specials and unforeseen circumstances. Native culture is not restricted to a western concept of time, but rather give enough time to do what is appropriate and if that means we are off schedule, that’s ok, we are happy we did things the right way.

If you have questions before the pow-wow, you can call or email Native American Student Services at 405-587-0356 or nativeamericanservices@okcps.org. If you have questions while you are at the pow-wow, just ask someone near you. Pow-wow people are very friendly and are used to answering questions for visitors.