Top 20 Powwows You Should Attend At Least Once in Your Life

Powwows are an awesome way to spend family time. It’s a time where families can meet up after a long winter and share stories with one another. It’s also a great way to experience other tribes and learn from other people.

People go to Powwows for healing, others to get their minds of everyday grind of life…..whatever your reason for heading off to a Powwow, here are some of the top Powwows you should experience at least once in your lifetime.

These are in no particular order in terms of best powwows to least best, these are just some of the great Powwows that we have attended and that others have gave us high praise over the great hospitality of the people within the host powwow.

So without further adieu, here are the Top X Powwows you should attend at least once in your lifetime.

1 – Shakopee Mdewakanton Pow Wow

Located just 30 miles southwest of Minneapolis Minnesota, the Shakopee Mdewakanton host one of the best Powwows on the planet.

Here thousands of people travel to the destination to take part in the yearly Wacipi to celebrate life. Here just a tidbit of all the cool things you will find at this celebration.

• Attracts championship singers and dancers to their celebration yearly
• One of the Top Native Casinos nearby with a world class Buffet
• Powwow ends early
• Great specials to watch and enjoy
• A great selection of food
• Wide variety of crafts in their Indigenous market
• Close to Minneapolis
• Great people and hosts
• Payout all dancers and singers who did not place
• Feed dancers and singers

Shakopee Grand Entry

2. Manito Ahbee Festival

The Manito Ahbee festival is a Powwow that happens yearly in Downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Powwow is an indoor Powwow and hosts their celebration during the May long weekend.

Many dancers from all four corners come to this festival for all the attractions that the hosts put on. Here are some of the amazing things that happen during this event:

• Hair braiding contests
• Native American Music Awards
• Top Notch Elders Area
• Special Live Performances of Indigenous Artists
• Amazing Head Dancer Specials
• Square Dancing and Jigging Competitions
• Art Challenge
• Indigenous Markets and Food Concessions
• Youth Education Days

The event has it all. It’s located right smack in the centre of Winnipeg, Manitoba, making it easy to find lodging.

Manito Ahbee Grand Entry – Top Powwow

3. Rocky Boy Montana Powwow

Seriously one of the Top Powwows that many dancers, singers, and spectators alike, look forward to attending each year. The Powwow attracts thousands of people to it’s celebration for the music, top notch dancing, the food, and specials.

The prize money is right up there for those looking for good competition and the singing is incredible for those just wanting to dance for the health of it.

The location of the celebration is just south of Havre, Montana near the Canadian Border.

Here are some of the great things you can expect at Rocky Boy:

• Many of the world’s best dancers and singers
• long nights of great singing and dancing
• A wide selection of great amazing food
• People camping from all areas of the Indian Country making family feeds plentiful
• Great memorable dance specials

Rocky Boy Powwow Grand Entry

4. First Nations University of Canada Powwow

The First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) Powwow is an amazing celebration to attend. It’s a Powwow that is one of the kick off celebrations to the Powwow Season in Canada.

It’s located in Regina, Saskatchewan, the capital city in the province of Saskatchewan and attracts thousands of people to it’s event.

The cool part about the Powwow is that the line up of singing is incredible and it will always keep you moving.

Here are some of the great things about this Powwow:

• Huge daily 50/50 draws which makes it exciting if you buy a ticket
• A large Indigenous Market where you can find pretty much anything you need from beads, regalia items, art, new car financing, trade items, and much much more.
• A dedicated Elders area with snacks and activities
• Tim Hortons coffee within walking distance
• Right in the city of Regina which makes it easy to find lodging
• Awesome dance specials

FNUC Powwow Grand Entry

5. Annual Menominee Nation Contest Powwow

The Menominee Nation Powwow is unique for their amazing Powwow dance area which has beautiful trees right in the dance floor. When you dance you are literally dancing with the Trees. They call the area the Woodland Bowl.

The celebration is located in Keshena Wisconsin of the Menominee Peoples which translates into the Wild Rice People.

Here are some great things about this Powwow:

• Great food and amazing vibes
• The unique and historic Woodland Bowl
• Awesome dance specials and singers
• They have an amazing resort to unwind after Powwow

Menominee Powwow Grand Entry:

6. Grand River Champion of Champions Powwow – Six Nation Powwow

Grand River Powwow is located in the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario by the Great Lakes and close by one of the wonders of the world – Niagara Falls. The Powwow is hosted by the Haudenosaunee peoples.

They host a wonderful powwow and attract a lot of great singers and dancers. The one time we went they had a Tim Hortons van giving away free coffee to visitors. The beautiful Powwow arbor has plenty room for camping and is located near a lot of hotels for lodging.

The food is amazing as it features many traditional foods in the area like the Three Sister Soup and attracts a lot of tourists which makes the crowd nice and loud to cheer on the dancing and the singing.

After the Powwow you can take a quick drive and enjoy the Niagara Falls attractions or stay and visit the people of the Six Nations.

Grand River Powwow Grand Entry:

7. Mandaree Powwow Celebration

Mandaree Powwow is one of those Powwows where if you asked the people who regularly attend celebrations which Powwow would be their favourite…..Mandaree usually tops that list.

Known for the world class singing, dancing, vibes, feeds, and supreme hospitality — it attracts people from all walks of life.

Located in North Dakota, just North West of Bismarck and South West of Minot.

When you go you should leave early to get a good parking and/or camping spot because a lot of people attend this Powwow. You will find a huge selection of food, craft booths, art, feeds, and much more.

Mandaree Powwow Grand Entry:

8. National Indigenous Cultural Expo

Quickly catapulting itself into one of the Top Canadian Powwows on the circuit from an amazing staff and great location.

The N.I.C.E Powwow is hosted in Edmonton, Alberta. Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, Canada. It attracted thousands of dancers and also had a huge Indigenous Market place.

Another great feature of the Powwow was the mini educational sessions that were hosted throughout the Powwow that you could go attend and learn a lot of the Native American Culture.

Since the celebration is located in Edmonton, you can find a huge selection of restaurants, lodging, things to do, and the world famous West Edmonton Mall.

N.I.C.E Powwow Grand Entry:

9. Crow Fair Powwow

Crow Fair Powwow is known as the Tipi Capital of the world. It is an amazing sight to see all the Tipi’s set up in one place and it kind of takes you back into time witnessing the spectacular sight.

The Celebration is located just east of Billings, Montana at Crow Agency and is located near the famous “Battle of Little Bighorn” historical site.

You will want to plan early for this as parking can be tricky and camping areas already set out for many of the family Tipi lodges.

Crow Fair Powwow Grand Entry:

10. Kamloopa Powwow Celebration

Surrounded by the beautiful Canadian Rockies, hot springs, and beautiful weather…this celebration is one destination to put on your bucket list.

Many people travel to this destination and the drive alone will leave you in awe as you drive through some of the most beautiful scenic areas on the planet of British Columbia.

Located North West of Kelowna B.C and a little over 3 hour drive from Vancouver British Columbia.

The celebration is full with arts and craft vendors, delicious food concessions, beautiful weather, and a lot of people to make new friends.

Kamloopa Powwow Grand Entry:

11. San Manuel Powwow California

The bulk of Powwows happen during the summer months but throughout the year Powwows will happen in the Fall and Winter. One of the best Powwows to attend during that period is the San Manuel Powwow Celebration in San Manuel Indian Reservation in California.

First of all, who doesn’t want to escape the cold weather in the fall or winter to come to California? This Powwow hosts some of the fierest singing competitions on the planet.

A lot of the drums come to this Powwow to compete for the huge singing competitions and also they host an amazing sweetheart special.

The Powwow is located about 68 Miles east of Los Angeles in the San Bernardino area, making it close to a lot of other attractions and ammenities.

At this celebration you will find world champion singing and dancing, food that will make you go back for seconds, arts and crafts, and much more.

San Manuel Powwow Grand Entry:

12. Samson Cree Nation Powwow

Just south of Edmonton, Alberta is the Cree Nation called Maskwacis and hosts one of the most successful and one of the largest celebrations in Canada.

The Powwow is usually within the first weekend of August where the weather is just close to perfect.

Thousands of people travel to come to this Powwow every year and plays host to champion singers and dancers. You will find a variety of craft booths and food concessions. They host wonderful feeds for their visitors and large giveaways for the spectators.

Samson Cree Nation Powwow Grand Entry:

13. Hunting Moon Powwow

Another amazing Wisconsin Pow-wow is the Hunting Moon Powwow located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Wisconsin Centre.

Hunting Moon Powwow is an indoor Powwow that happens in October each year and attracts a huge crowd of people who are ready to celebrate life.

A cool part of this Powwow is you will be able to see some unique dance styles such as “OLD TIME” WOMEN’S SCRUB and MEN’S WOODLAND STYLE that you may not see at other celebrations.

Hunting Moon Powwow Grand Entry:

14. Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Powwow (FSIN Powwow)

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Powwow is hosted in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Powwow is usually hosted in the month of November.

The Powwow has a bit of everything. There’s a dedicated Elders area, a huge variety of craft booths, a number of concessions, a kids area, and of course world championship song and dance.

The Powwow attracts champion dancers and singers and has a lot of great dance specials.

FSIN Powwow Grand Entry:

15. Seminole Powwow

The Seminole Tribal Fair and Powwow is a celebration held in February of each year. When you attend you will treated to live alligator shows, live music performances, dancing and traditional singing, and more.

Escape to Florida area where the weather is beautiful year round. Located north of Miami, Florida and close to Fort Lauderdale.

The host tribe has a beautiful and amazing Casino resort that you can enjoy alongside the Powwow as you take in this amazing event.

Seminole Powwow Grand Entry:

16. Onion Lake Powwow

Onion Lake is a Cree Nation Powwow that happens in July. It is one of Saskatchewan’s largest outdoor Powwows.

There hundreds of people along with hundreds more of dancers and singers that make their way to celebrate at this Powwow.

Located directly north of the border city called Lloydminster, Alberta.

You will find champion singers and dancers who compete at this Powwow and it is definitely a powwow you should attend one time in your life.

Onion Lake Powwow Grand Entry:

17. United Tribes Powwow

Long considered a world championship Powwow, Bismarck hold a lengthy history of legendary singers and dancers coming to celebrate at this Powwow.

The Powwow still holds that world class vibe with many champions from Canada and the US meeting up each September to come and dance.

You will not be dissappointed with the amazing line up of vendors, food booths, dancers and singers.

The Powwow is located in Bismarck North Dakota which gives you a lot of options for food, lodging, shopping, and more.

Bismarck Powwow Grand Entry:

18. Long Plains Powwow

Long Plains is a championship Powwow hosted by the Long Plains First Nations in Manitoba.

Like all the Powwows listed, it attracts many dancers from all corners. It has a yearly Midnite Mens Fancy Special and also hosts a Horse Dance Competition.

The Powwow is located just 116km west of Winnipeg in Manitoba.

Make sure to put this location on bucket list for Powwows to attend.

Long Plains Powwow Grand Entry:

19. Choctaw Powwow

A wonderful celebration put on by the Choctaw People in Durant Oklahoma.

With thousands in attendance, people from US and Canada come together to compete in this awesome celebration.

The Powwow is usually hosted in early December and a great time of year to attend before the Holiday seasons.

Choctaw Powwow Grand Entry:

20. Tsuu Tina Powwow

Tsuu T’ina Powwow is one of Southern Alberta’s Top Powwows and of the most jam packed Powwows you will ever attend.

You will have to arrive early as the size of the Powwow has outgrown it’s location. It attracts visitors from all parts and a huge population of local tourists make the trip from Calgary as well.

The location is just West of the City of Calgary and it is close enough to travel back and forth from Calgary as well.

You can find all kinds of things here. The Powwow is at the same time as their rodeo which is walking distance from the Powwow. Also there is usually a great golf tournament that goes along with all the festivities that are happening.

Tsuu T’ina Powwow Grand Entry:

Did we miss your favourite Powwow? Let us know in the comments below so we can add it here.