Never been to a powwow before? Perfect.
You do not need to know the dance styles, recognize the champions or understand competition powwow to enjoy the Powwow Dance Championships #2 in Red Deer, Alberta.
In fact, one of the reasons we created this format was to make some of the most exciting parts of powwow easier for a brand-new audience to experience.
If you want to understand the bigger vision first, read Why I Created the Powwow Dance Championships. That story explains why we believe our powwow champions deserve a bigger stage.
So, What Is the Powwow Dance Championships?
A large competition powwow can have hundreds of dancers, many categories and a full schedule of contests, specials and celebrations. If you grew up around powwow, that world feels familiar. If this is your first time, it can be a lot to take in.
The Powwow Dance Championships takes a different approach. We put the spotlight on individual dancers and head-to-head matchups so the audience can learn who they are, where they come from and who they are cheering for.
Think of the presentation more like a major sporting event: the champions are introduced, the matchup matters, the drum starts and the focus is on the dancers in front of you.
You Don’t Need to Know Powwow to Enjoy It
If you have never attended a powwow, don’t worry about trying to understand everything before you arrive.
Come ready to listen, watch and experience it.
We want new visitors to learn the dancers’ names, hear where they are from and begin recognizing the differences between dance styles. By the end of the night, you may already have a favourite dancer.
What Does a Powwow Dance Battle Look Like?
Two dancers step into the spotlight. They are introduced to the audience. A live powwow drum group provides the song.
Then the dancers compete.
This is where you see the athleticism, timing, footwork, creativity, endurance and musicality that make elite powwow dancers so exciting to watch.
For the Championships, judges score the battle using a 10–9 must system. There are no ties. One dancer wins the battle.
And because you know exactly who is competing, you can follow the matchup from beginning to end.
What Dance Styles Will You See?
Powwow dancing is not one single style. Different categories have their own movement, regalia, history and character.
You may see the speed and athleticism of Men’s Fancy Dance, the flowing movement of Grass Dance, the sound and movement of Jingle Dress, and other championship-level dance styles.
You do not have to memorize the differences. Watch the dancers, listen to the drums and let the event introduce you to the styles.
The Drum Is Live—and It Changes Everything
The dancers are not performing to a prerecorded track.
Live powwow drum groups sing the songs, and the dancers have to respond in real time. The relationship between dancer and drum is part of what makes powwow competition so exciting.
A powerful song can change the entire energy of the room.
At Powwow Dance Championships #2, the drums are part of the show—not background music.
Can I Bring My Kids?
Yes. This is the kind of experience we want families to see together.
One of the biggest reasons behind the Championships is to elevate Indigenous champions so young people can learn their names, hear their stories and have powwow dancers they can look up to.
For an Indigenous child who may be disconnected from culture, seeing a champion who looks like them can mean something much bigger than one night of entertainment.
What Should I Wear?
You do not need special clothing or Indigenous attire to attend. Come comfortably and respectfully, just as you would for another family event or sporting event.
If you are new to powwow, the biggest thing is simply to be respectful. Listen to announcements from the MCs and follow any instructions given during the event.
Friday: Shop Indigenous and Meet the Champions
The experience begins before Saturday night.
On Friday, October 23, come to the Red Deer Resort & Casino for Shop Indigenous and explore Indigenous vendors and businesses.
We are also holding our media activities around the Championship weekend, creating opportunities to meet dancers, ask questions and start learning the stories behind the people you will see compete.
That matters to us. We do not want the champions to be anonymous people who appear, dance and disappear. We want audiences to know who they are.
Saturday: Powwow Dance Championships #2
On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Powwow Dance Championships take centre stage at the Red Deer Resort & Casino in Red Deer, Alberta.
This is where the lights come up, the champions are introduced, the drums begin and the battles happen live.
If you are already part of the powwow world, come cheer for the champions.
If you have never experienced powwow before, come discover them.
Why We Built an Event for First-Time Visitors Too
At a large powwow, a first-time visitor might see hundreds of incredible dancers without knowing a single name.
We want to change that experience—not by replacing powwow, but by creating another stage beside it.
We want you to leave knowing who you watched.
Maybe you follow one of the dancers afterward. Maybe you watch their next battle online. Maybe your child remembers their name.
That is how champions become heroes.
And that is part of the vision behind this entire event.
Read the story behind the vision: Why I Created the Powwow Dance Championships.
Ready to Experience It?
You do not have to be an expert.
You do not have to know anybody competing.
You just have to show up.
We’ll introduce you to the champions.
Then the drums will start.
🎟️ Get tickets and event information at PWTPowwow.com.
