Virginia Indians Today
Pow Wows
Note: The following information is taken from “What Is a Pow-Wow?” 53rd Annual Chickahominy Tribe Fall Festival & Pow-Wow Program. September 25 & 26, 2004, Charles City, Virginia. Chickahominy Indian Tribe, Inc.
What Is a Pow Wow?
The pow wow is the Native American's way of expressing their cultural heritage. To the observer, this may appear as entertainment or theatrics, and he may not be aware of the religious overtones, but the pow wow is very sacred to the Native Americans. It is not only a time to sing and dance but it is a time to renew old friendships and also to create new ones.
The word pow wow comes from the Algonquin word "Pau Wau," which was used to describe medicine men and spiritual leaders. Early Europeans thought the word referred to the entire event. As Indian tribes learned English, they accepted this definition.
The dance arena, also called an arbor, may be inside or out but must be large enough to accommodate all participants and observers. It is blessed before the pow wow begins and is considered to be sacred ground for the duration of the celebration. There should be no drugs, alcohol, profanity, smoking, or boisterous behavior in this area. It should be treated like the inside of a church. The front seats of the arbor are for dancers, singers, and their families. Elders are also given preferred places to sit. Running and playing within the dance arena is not allowed, nor is it proper for spectators to cross the arbor during the pow wow. The dance arena is considered a sacred circle. If you enter the circle, always walk or dance in a clockwise direction, entering and exiting in the same place. This shows respect for the sacredness of the circle.
Each dance session begins with a Grand Entry, a procession of dancers. The Flag Bearers lead the procession. Being a Flag Bearer is an honor usually given to a veteran, a respected traditional dancer or a traditional elder. They carry the American Flag, the Canadian Flag, and an Eagle Staff. Indian Royalty are next and consist of tribal and organizational princesses and other dignitaries. The Head Dancers lead a single file procession of dancers arranged by category and age.
After all the dances in the arbor, a flag song is sung. Then a respected person offers a prayer, which is followed by a victory song during which the flags are placed in their standards. During the Grand Entry, the MC will ask all to rise and for men to remove head coverings.
Virginia 2008 Pow Wow Schedule
Virginia Indian Nations 7th Annual Spring Pow Wow
May 3rd & 4th, 2008
Location: Chickahominy Tribal Grounds - Charles City, VA
Dates: Saturday, May 3, 2008 and Sunday, May 4, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Grand Entry: Saturday at Noon and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Contact: Keith Wynn
Phone: 804-966-2448
Web: http://www.vitalva.org/files/2008springpwpr.pdf
16th Annual Monacan Pow Wow
May 16th- 18th, 2008
Location: Rt. 130, 6 Miles West of Rt. 29 in Elon, VA
Date: Friday, May 16th, 2008 – Student Day
Dates: Saturday, May 17th, 2008 and Sunday, May 18th, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Contact: Monacan Indian Nation
Phone: 434-946-0389
Web: http://www.monacannation.com/powwow.shtml
21st Annual Upper Mattaponi Spring Festival & Tribal Pow Wow
May 23rd – 25th, 2008
Location: Upper Mattaponi Tribal Grounds
Date: Friday, May 23rd, 2008 – Student Day
Dates: Saturday, May 24th and Sunday, May 25th, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. - 5p.m.
Grand Entry: Saturday at Noon and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Contact: Upper Mattaponi Tribe
Phone: 804-769-2408
Web: http://www.uppermattaponi.org
12th Annual American Indian Festival
Location: Chesapeake City Park, 900 Greenbrier Pkwy, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Date: Saturday, June 7, 2008 and Sunday, June 8, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Grand Entry: Saturday at Noon and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Contact: Earl Bass
Nansemond Indian Tribal Association
Phone: 252-771-2476
Web: http://nansemond.org/
Mattaponi Indian 13th Annual Pow Wow
Saturday, June 21st, 2008
Location: Mattaponi Indian Reservation, King William County, Virginia
Date: Saturday June 21st, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Grand Entry: Noon
Contact: Mark Custlow
Phone: 804-769-4447
Web site: http://www.baylink.org/mattaponi/
Virginia Indian Heritage Day
Saturday July 26, 2008
Location: Jamestown Settlement, 2218 Jamestown Road, Route 31 S., Jamestown, VA
Intertribal dancing and drumming, panel discussions, themed museum tours and hands-on children's activities honor Virginia Indian cultures and their important legacy in America. This event is presented in partnership with the Virginia Indian community.
Web site: http://www.historyisfun.org/calendar.htm
Nansemond Tribal Pow Wow
August 16th & 17th, 2008
Location: Lone Star Lake Lodge, 23432 Pembroke Lane, Suffolk, VA 23432
Date: Saturday, August 16th, 2008 and Sunday, August 17th, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Contact: Earl Bass
Phone: 252-771-2476
Web: http://nansemond.org
57th Annual Chickahominy Tribal Pow Wow
September 27th & 28th, 2008
Location: Chickahominy Tribal Grounds - Charles City, VA
Dates: September 27th & 28th, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Contact: Keith Wynn
Phone: 804-966-2448
Web: http://www.chickahominytribe.org/
State Fair of Virginia
Sunday September 28, 2008 - Sunday October 5, 2008
Richmond Raceway Complex, 600 E. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA 23222
Event will include Virginia Indian heritage area, with programs and exhibits.
Contact Virginia Indian Heritage Program, 434-924-3296
Web: www.statefairva.org
Monacan Indian Homecoming & Bazaar
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tribal Headquarters, 2009 Kenmore Rd., Amherst, VA 24521
Contact 434-929-1792.
Web: http://www.monacannation.com/
Richmond Folk Festival
Friday, October 10, 2008 – Sunday, October 12, 2008
Richmond, VA
More details to come
Web: http://www.richmondfolkfestival.org/
Rappahannock 9th Annual Tribal Powwow
Saturday October 11, 2008
Location: Rappahannock Tribal Grounds, Rt. 623, 5036 Indian Neck Rd.
Indian Neck, VA 23148
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Grand Entry: 12 Noon
Contact: Rappahannock Tribe
Phone: 804-769-0260
Web: www.rappahannocktribe.org
VITAL Veterans Pow Wow
November - To Be Announced
Location: Upper Mattaponi Tribal Grounds
Dates: November 2008
Time: To Be Announced
Web site: http://www.vitalva.org/
Annual Chickahominy Indians, Eastern Division Fall Festival
Location: To Be Announced
Date: To Be Announced
Time: To Be Announced
Web site: http://www.cied.org
Annual Tribute to the Governor
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
9 a.m.
Governor's Mansion, Capital Square, Richmond, VA 23219
The Pamunkey and Mattaponi tribes present tribute of deer and other game to the Virginia Governor as specified by treaty.
Contact 804-769-2194
