Top 10 Best Canadian Powwows

Are you looking for the Top 10 Best Canadian Powwows? Then you have come to the right place.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has foiled any plans to travel to a powwow much hope remains for next season and if you’re just starting to get more into the culture of powwows you’re are probably asking yourself, what would be the best powwows go to?

Well to know that you would have to ask someone who has been to a lot powwow’s in their life and get their suggestion.

Well, you are in luck because here at Powwow Times we have been all across Canada and experienced the best of the best that Canada has to offer so with that let us explore our Top 10 Best Canadian Powwows.

10. Kamloopa Powwow

Right in the heart of beautiful British Columbia, the annual Kamloopa Powwow is one of the most popular powwows in Canada.

Every year its bring together over 1000 dancers from across North America.

With so many spectators, vendors, dancers, and singers in a beautiful location, with an even stunning dance arbor its no wonder this continues to be favorite among the powwow world.

The only ever complaint I’ve heard about this powwow has been the heat. As the location is considered a desert. But if you go well equipped as you always should whenever you do travel you should be fine.

9. Tsuu T’ina Powwow

Just on the outskirts of the city of Calgary, Alberta, Tsuu Tina annual Powwow brings together dancers from every part of the country and packed filled with non- indigenous people who travel from the close city of Calgary to catch a glimpse of awesome First Nations culture and dance.

The best feature about this powwow is the stunning arbor which nothing sort of magnificent. With wooden hand-carved eagle at its peak and a huge amount of food vendors all around the Tsuu Tina is one that you don’t want to miss.

8. O’chiese Powwow

Located 52 km northwest of the city of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Ochiese Powwow is one of the best powwows in Canada to go because of its awesome dance arbor. Although it’s not as big as other powwows, its beauty is something you have to see for yourself.

The dance floor its self is made from artificial turf which is used on many professional sports fields making it perfect to dance on. The structure of the arbor is amazing as well as it is made of very large vertical logs, complex wooden structures, and bright sports fields like lights all around.

There are only a few minor downsides to this powwow, One being the location is not really close to a hotel so a trailer or tent would have to be used for camping. Another is the climb to get to the powwow grounds is all uphill so it is pretty hard on your transmission. But besides that, all and all very great powwow

7. Kahkewistahaw Powwow

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About 1 hour south of the town Yorkton, Saskatchewan this powwow is pretty unique as its arbor pretty spectacular in its appearance.

The powwow ground’s its self is pretty huge and has lots of seating for spectators and dancers alike. The main entrance inside the arbor has a large unique wooden headdress that looks pretty cool.

With surrounding the communities being home to many top-notch champion dancers and singers this powwow is the main meeting spot for all of those champions to battle and showcase what they got.

A Saturday night live here is one you don’t want to miss.

6. Onion Lake Powwow

Onion lake is located about 34 mins from the town of Lloydminster which is right on the border of Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Onion lake always seems to be a packed, very busy powwow which everyone likes to go to.

With specials in every category, Onion lake is known to stay alive until the wee hours of dawn.

Every year Onion Lake brings well over 1000 plus of dancers from all over North America and has lots of great food vendors.

It is for sure a powwow that you will have to check out.

5.Grand River Powwow

Located in the Six Nations Indian Reserve which is about an hour from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Called the champion of champions powwow, the Six Nations powwow is host to many various food vendors and craft vendors.

The Six Nations reserve is very close to the Toronto area so a lot of tourists come out to catch a glimpse of the fantastic dancer’s and singers.

The hospitality of the people here is so awesome and the cleanliness of the reserve is also awesome as well.

The grounds are located right beside a beautiful river making it a beautiful place to dance.

4. Dakota Dunes Powwow

Being just one of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority’s (SIGA) annual powwow’s, The Dakota Dunes Powwow is located in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The Dakota Dunes powwow brings dancers and singers from all over North America to join a weekend of ultimate champion singing and dancing.

The food is selection is very limited as there are only a few concession stands in the huge arena but the area is filled with many great craft vendors.

The arena itself is pretty big and always seems to be packed with people.’

3. FSIN Powwow

The FSIN powwow is held in the same place that the Dakota Dunes is held at the SaskTel center in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The FSIN is almost the exact same as the Dakota Dunes powwow except for a few differences. The FSIN powwow was the first to use the SaskTel center as a venue for its Powwow.

The FSIN charges an entry fee in order for people to get into the actual powwow. Since the powwow has been held in the arena for a longer time then Dakota Dunes more people seem to actually go to this one.

The concession situation is still the same but the number of crafts and people remains large.

It sure to be a powwow that you don’t want to miss out on.

2. Manito Ahbee Powwow

The Manito Ahbee Powwow is the 2nd biggest powwow in Canada and is located at the stunning RBC convention center which is located in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

With such a classy looking place and many people around the Manito Ahbee powwow certainly has an effect that causes everyone to dress in their nicest attire.

With many food vendors and craft vendors, the magical Manito Abhee powwow is one you just have to go to.

1. N.I.C.E Powwow

Considered the largest powwow in all of Canada, the Nation Indigenous Cultural Expo (N.I.C.E) powwow is located at the Edmonton Expo Center in Edmonton, Alberta.

From top-notch dancing and singing the N.I.C.E powwow proved to be one if not the greatest in Canada.

The dance competition portion of the N.I.C.E powwow saw the dancers battling for 5000 dollars for first place, which is 5 times the normal prize money amount from any other powwows.

The singing portion of the powwow saw the drum groups battling for a 30 thousand dollar first-place prize.

The vast amount of prize brought out the very best of the singers and dancers.

Some have said that this powwow is a one-time thing and some have said that this happens every 2 years.

Will it ever make a comeback? Will any powwows ever come back? I sure hope so just like many others I sure am missing the powwow trail.

What are your Top 10 Best Canadian Powwows? Let Us Know In The Comments Below!