Shinnecock Powwow Celebration To Mark Summer's End

The 67th annual Shinnecock Powwow will take place over Labor Day weekend Aug. 30 to Sept. 2.

One of the top powwows in the country, the three-day festival will feature a wide array of Native American drummers and dancers from over 100 tribes, including award-winning recording artist Arvel Bird and the Aztec Dancers. 

Additionally, contests will be held in both dancing and drumming allowing participants a chance to win a trophy and up to $3,500. Categories include war, blanket and smoke dances, and the contests are divided by both gender and age.

“The Powwow is a wonderful event for the Nation, a time when we can celebrate our long history and reach out to our neighbors to help them to better understand our people,” the Shinnecock Trustee Chairman, Daniel Collins, said. “We have always prided ourselves on being good neighbors, and want to continue that tradition by helping those with questions better understand our point of view. Educating others through an event like our annual Powwow is a great and fun opportunity for our Nation.”

On Aug. 30, the performances will take place in categories of the 18 and up Men’s Chicken & Grass; Women’s Fancy, Jingle, Eastern Blanket, and Traditional will be held. 

On Aug. 31, the Thunder Bird Family will host a hand drum competition in honor of Chief Thunder Bird and the winner will receive $500 cash and a hand drum. Monday, September 2, will include Tom “Little Bear” Crippen Men’s Fancy Dance Memorial Contest, the performance of the men’s and women’s smoke dance and the distribution of trophies and prize money.

Registration for participation begins Aug. 30, at 4:30 p.m. All dancers aged 6 to 60 must pay $10 and all drummers must pay $25. Participants younger than 6 or older than 60 may register for free. All contestants must be able to provide proof of tribal affiliation and age upon request.

Tickets for general admission are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors. Children under 5 will be admitted for free.

Grounds open at 3 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. from Saturday to Monday. Grand entry ceremonies will be 7 p.m. on Friday, 12:30 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 12:30 p.m. on Monday.

The Powwow, revived in 1946 as a fundraiser for the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church, will be held at the Shinnecock Indian reservation next to Southampton.