Choctaw Nation
Charlie Clark
DURANT – One of the nation’s largest powwows, the Choctaw PowWow, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Set for Friday, Oct. 31-Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant, Okla., more than 13,000 attendees are expected. A prize payout of more than $181,000 will go to dancers and drummers from across North America.
“For twenty years, our Choctaw PowWow has served as a gathering for all our tribal relations across the U.S. and Canada, uniting us to celebrate our rich Native heritage, honor our ancestors, and carry on the traditions that demonstrate our resilience to still be here,” said Kerry Steve, chair of the PowWow Committee and Choctaw Cultural Center director of arts. “While it is a competition, we enjoy sharing the powwow with others. There is no other experience in the world like attending a powwow.”
Admission to the powwow and parking are free to the public all three days. The Choctaw Event Center is at 3702 Choctaw Road, at the intersection with Highway 75/69 and Choctaw Road.
On Friday, Oct. 31, a Gourd Dance will open the powwow weekend beginning at 2 p.m. at the event center. This will be followed from 8-10 p.m. with dance competitions.
On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, powwow dance and drum competitions take place with at least a dozen Northern and Southern drums, and some 700 dancers from almost 70 tribes expected in the arena. Saturday will feature two Grand Entries to launch the competitions, at noon and at 7 p.m. On Sunday, there is one Grand Entry, at noon.
There will be a dozen food vendors set up outside and more than 50 arts & crafts booths set up inside the Event Center. Also, on site will be at least 10 tribal and non-profit organizations, including Choctaw Community Health nurses providing flu shots.
Also, on Friday through Sunday, the public is invited to celebrate the Choctaw Heritage Festival at the Choctaw Cultural Center, 1919 Hina Hanta Way, in Durant. Doors open each day at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Choctaw singing, social dance demonstrations, a curator talk, traditional games and exhibit tours. Regular admission prices apply to the indoor activities. A day of stickball, including exhibitions and a tournament, is planned for Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. on the Choctaw Cultural Center Stickball Field. Admission is free.
Room blocks are available at the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, by calling 880-788-2464 and pressing No. 1 to utilize the code POWWOW25. The Casino & Resort will offer discounts at The District for arcade games, bowling and movies. Additionally, guests with RVs can enjoy the 77-camper site Choctaw RV Park located across from the casino. All Choctaw powwow guests will receive a discounted rate.
The Choctaw PowWow is sponsored by the Choctaw Nation, Choctaw Cultural Center and the Choctaw Casino & Resort. For Choctaw PowWow updates and details, visit choctawculturalcenter.com/powwow/ or Facebook and other Choctaw Nation social media.