The 19th Annual Choctaw Pow-Wow, one of the nation’s largest, is set for November 1-3 at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant. More than 13,000 people attended last year. A total prize payout of more than $200,000 will be available for the numerous dance and drum competitions. Discover Durant provided a grant to fund the Overall Champion in the drum competition.
“This is a time for our tribal families to come together, celebrate our rich native heritage, honor our ancestors, and continue the traditions that define us,” said Kerry Steve, chair of the PowWow Committee and Choctaw Cultural Center director of arts. “While this is a competition, we still like to share the powwow experience with others.”
Admission to the powwow is free to the public all three days. Ample parking surrounds the event center at 3702 Choctaw Road, near Highway 75/69.
On Friday, Nov. 1, a Gourd Dance will open the powwow weekend beginning at 2 p.m. at the event center. This will be followed from 7-10 p.m. with Dance Specials, which will also serve as a quick dance competition for all adult categories.
On Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 2-3, powwow dance and drum competitions take place with at least 15 Northern and Southern drums, and at least 650 dancers from 65 tribes from across the United States and Canada expected in the arena. Contests will be offered for various dance categories and different age groups. The Women’s Choctaw Traditional will return for its eighth year, and Tiny Tot dancers are always a crowd favorite, sponsored this year by Chahtapreneur Bear’s Vision.
Saturday will have two Grand Entries to launch the dancing, at Noon and 7 p.m. On Sunday, a single Grand Entry starts at Noon.
There will be 10 food vendors, 60 arts & crafts booths, and a dozen tribal and non-profit organizations scheduled on site.
This year, powwows.com and Pawnee, Okla.-based Lone Tipi Productions will livestream the event across the U.S. and into more than 100 countries.
Also on Friday, Nov. 1, the public is invited to celebrate the Ittahoba (Choctaw for “Gathering”) Festival at the Choctaw Cultural Center, 1919 Hina Hanta Way, in Durant. Choctaw Singing gets underway at 10:30 a.m. The day will include a Curator Talk, traditional games and exhibit tours. At 2 p.m. will be Choctaw Language Through Storytelling, followed at 3 p.m. by a Social Dancing Demonstration. Traditional Native foods will be served all day in the center’s Champuli Café. Regular cultural center admission prices apply with complimentary entry for Choctaw tribal members and Cultural Center members.
A day of Stickball, including exhibitions and a six-team tournament, is planned for Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on the Choctaw Cultural Center Stickball Field. Admission to the games is free.
Room blocks are available at the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, 880-788-2464 and pressing No. 1 to utilize the code POWWOW24. The Casino & Resort will offer discounts at The District for arcade games, bowling and movies. Additionally, guests can enjoy the 77-camper site Choctaw RV Park located across from the casino. For more information, visit www. ChoctawCasinos.com.
The Choctaw PowWow is sponsored by the Choctaw Cultural Center and the Choctaw Casino & Resort. For Choctaw PowWow updates and details, visit https:// choctawculturalcenter.com/powwow/ or Facebook and other Choctaw Nation social media. For media credentials, contact publicrelations@ choctawnation.com.
