When traveling on U.S. Highway 190 at the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, you may wonder why there are so many cars turning off and headed to the tribes’ Veterans Pavilion. This is the location where the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes’ 56th annual Powwow will be held.
Different tribes from across the United States and Canada will join together to highlight a weekend of cultural dancing and singing.
“Tribes from all across the United States and Canada will join us for a night of Native American singing and dancing to showcase their different styles of dances and compete in a friendly competition during the powwow,” Delvin Johnson, Chairman of the Alabama-Coushatta Powwow Association, said. “We also want to take this opportunity to invite the public to come and watch these dancers dressed in their full colorful regalia and share our culture with them. This powwow is both entertaining and educational for families that want to experience the cultural aspect of Native Americans.”
Visitors are welcome to witness the different styles of dances from the northern and southern plain tribes as they compete in a friendly competition and vie for the top prize on who becomes the champion of the Alabama-Coushatta’s 56th annual Powwow.
Visitors may also enjoy native foods including the Indian frybread and Indian tacos. Other foods available will be fast food type of menus. Native American arts and crafts will be available for purchase such as hand-made beadwork, turquoise jewelry, blankets, flutes, and other handcrafted items for sale.
The public is invited to attend this powwow and enjoy, learn, and take home a little history of Native American culture. Admission to the event is $7 daily for ages seven and above, with children 6 and under free.
Gates open at 2 p.m. Friday. There will be a gourd dance at 5 p.m. and a grand entry at 6 p.m. Gates open at noon Saturday. There will be a gourd dance at 2 p.m., a break from 4-5 p.m., another gourd dance at 5 p.m. and a grand entry at 6:30 p.m.
For general information about the 56th annual Powwow, you may contact Delvin Johnson at (936) 252-1784.
