In powwows there are are a vast amount of foods that are placed at vendors outside the arbour, however there are always go-to’s and favourites that most of us enjoy and like to powwow every powwow weekend.
Examples for foods you can try and even beverages are bannock, bannock variations, lemonade and soups and other foods that are actually unique and delicious. These are foods that I enjoy and I always like to eat while I am on the powwow trail, I will explain pricing and how it taste and why is it for favourable.
Contents
Familiar Foods
Powwows in an eventful format works just like how fairs and rodeos will be, there are vendors that travel around North America representing themselves as entrepreneurs and selling their foods in events such as powwow.
Some of the foods you can find that are familiar to you if you haven’t attended any indigenous events are street foods such as burgers, hotdogs, and fries and many that you may have tried at other events. Beverages you can also find that you may now are sodas and drinks such as lemonade and smoothies can be found around the vendors outside of the powwow arbour.
These are the foods you can find at powwow events and can be found almost at every powwow you attend. For ones who are not ready to explore beyond your tastebuds these are safe options for you if you want to familiarize yourself with food that you are comfortable with.
Indigenous Dishes
There are unique dishes that we serve in powwows that are specifically indigenous made. These are food that are in indigenous culture and we share through the entirety of the powwow season. You can find vendors that only sell indigenous food and create a business making and selling foods across North America.
Bannock Burgers
probably the most common you can find, this dish contains fry bread buns that are freshly made and served with meat that can vary from the original beef patties to other meat that are elk and bison.
This is one of my favourite foods because it is easily customizable, you can add anything to your bannock burger. This can range from ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes and mayo and just like any burger, you can also get it double the meat at a higher price.
This is a must try because when it’s freshly made it is tens times better than the basic burger with the regular patties. The bannock is soft and the meat is hot and is very filling after it is finished. It’s gives a just right juicy texture and it is easily affordable since the prices are usually 5 to 8 dollars per burger.
I influence burger lovers to try this because it is a good way to introduce yourself to experience bannock if you haven’t tried it and create new taste for indigenous foods.
Indian Tacos
Such as bannock burgers, Indian tacos use the same ingredients such as fry bread but it is much bigger serving than the average bannock burger. Indian tacos are a large piece of fry bread that is cover with a layer of beef and covered with cheese, tomato’s, sour cream and lettuce.
This is also a favourite because of the size and the serving it has to offer. It is also exactly how its sounds because of its contents it has and the amount it has to offer. If you want something that is going to fill you up in one meal, I recommend this dish to you if your hunger is winning over.
This is a must try for because of the size of the serving it has to offer in my opinion. The moment you get it freshly made, it has the same sensation and texture of a bannock burger. The fry bread is nice and hot i with a soft texture and is filled with the same contents as a normal taco.
Poutine
Poutines can also be found at Canadian powwows since it is a Canadian dish that is served. This is a combination of fries, gravy and cheese and is one of the most popular foods in Canadian cuisine. It is also familiar food that you might be used to and is an international delight that we all share and serve throughout Canada.
Other variations of the poutine can also be served in some vendors that you find in the powwow. Vendors may have unique types of poutines such as bacon maple poutines, fresh onion and sour cream poutines and poutines that contain a variety of styled meats.
This is a must try because if you’re unfamiliar with the dish because you come from different regions and countries, this a dish you can get yourself started with. It also goes great with staples such as ketchup and spices like hot sauce, anything that you seem fit.
if you are a fry lover, this is a nice mix to the your taste buds and you can find poutines at any event or fair at vendors and especially at powwows. Though it is not a indigenous food, it is a good food to try if your unfamiliar with it.
Lemonade
A beverage known to all powwow gatherings is Lemonade, Kim’s lemonade to be more exact is a lemonade selling vendor is a popular vendor through the powwow season. This vendor is one of the most successful vendors just by selling lemonade.
What makes this vendor unique is with just 5 dollars you can get a LARGE beverage of a flavoured lemonade of your choosing. Flavours can range from raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, cotton candy and many others you can choose from.
Though this is a drink filled with sugar, the drink has a lovely sweet taste and serve a large quantity of lemonade for its price. This is always good for a hot day on a powwow and if you need a refreshment during a long hot day.
This is a must try. Other vendors also sell lemonade and can be found at almost every powwow, this beverage is worth a try and is a very good option for all those sweet tooth’s.
Street Tacos
In the states, powwows usually have some vendors that cook and serve street tacos for people attending the powwow. They are delicious and are a very good choice when you go and explore vendors. They serve in small portions but you can choose from a variety of different contents and spices, they also a good quick snack if your looking for something fast.
This is a must try because this is probably one of my favourite dishes to try and I influence you to try if you choose to attend a couple of state powwows. The cuisine of this dish is surprisingly fulling for a small snack also and also packs a punch with its spicy flavouring. The pricing for them can range from about 6 to 8 dollars and are worth the trouble to buy.
Conclusion
These are the top foods at powwow that you can try. All of them are well recommended and if you are going to try a powwow I recommend that you try these food. There is also many more indigenous to try and you can find other favourites that you may have during your visits at the powwow!
