Our heritage park and museum will be the location of a three-day Native American Powwow to be held Oct. 27 – 29, 2023.

The goal of this event, unique in Northwest Tennessee, is to provide a place for Indigenous people from tribes around the country to celebrate their culture while educating Discovery Park visitors on this aspect of our nation’s past, present and future.

The 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow will include competitions and displays of Indigenous storytelling, drumming, singing and competition dancing. There will also be Native American artisans, craftsmen and traders displaying and selling their work. Food vendors will provide opportunities to enjoy traditional cuisines like fry bread, tacos and hominy. All powwow activities take place on Discovery Park’s great lawn.

Those with documented tribal affiliation who want to compete or reserve a booth at the 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Education Powwow should call Kim and David Bugg at 901-833-6411 or email powwow@discoveryparkofamerica.com. To learn more about Native American pow-wows, click here.

This event is FREE with park admission or membership. A special three-day ticket for this event only is now available, and you can save 15% when you buy your ticket online in advance.

THREE-DAY POWWOW PACKAGE

BEST VALUE!  Oct. 27 – 29, 2023 ONLY.

• Enjoy general admission all three days of the Pow Wow PLUS:
• Unlimited access to the Cooper Tower
• 10% off in the Gift Shop
• 10% off in the Cafe and Eats & Treats
• Collectible Discovery Park VIP badge

Adult (18 and older): $32.99
Child (4-17): $24.99
3 and under are free.

Save 15% when you purchase online now.

One-day and VIP packages for admission are available here.

Headstaff

Arena Director

Jimmy Reedy

Host Drum 

Ottertrail, South Side

Tabulator

Meredith Printup Higgins

Eagle Staff Carrier

Dean Swimmer

Emcee

Rob Daugherty

Head Judge

Gabe Bullock

Vendors

Niles and Jean Aseret of the Navajo Nation

Handmade Jewelry

Lola Swimmer of the Cherokee Nation

Original Paintings and Framed Feathers

Cubert and Lacey Bell of Choctaw Nation

Native American Cuisine

Emilio & Marguerite Chavez of Santo Domingo Pueblo

Stone and Shell Jewelry

Shelly Bell of the Choctaw Nation

Beaded jewelry

Paul Rene’ Tamburro from the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation

Silver and Copper jewelry

Jon Tiger of the Muskogee Creek Nation

Native Paintings

Paintings and other collectable items

Lauri Lake of the Navajo Nation

Native American Cuisine

David Farnham of the Onondaga Nation

Antler Carvings and Leather Work

Michael & Ramona Frerichs of the Northern Arapaho Nation

Beadwork and Flutes

Schedule

Friday, October 27th

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday has been planned with students in mind, but everyone is invited to attend the festivities.

Dino Hall

Choctaw dancing
10:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
3 p.m.

Military Gallery:

Exhibition of powwow categories and a performance by Arvel Bird
10:30 a.m.
1:30 p.m.

Tennessee Room:

Arts and activities:
10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Tennessee Room:

Arts and activities:
10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Regional History Gallery:

Birds of Prey and Animal Encounters at the touch table:
10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Interested in registering your student group? Schedule your group here.

Saturday, October 28th

10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Vendors will be selling handmade, indigenous items and food all day.

Saturday, Oct. 28

10 a.m. Arvel Bird early preview

11 a.m. Opening ceremony, greetings and announcements

12 p.m. Grand entry, introduction, round dance and intertribal dancing

1 p.m. Contest dance all categories, intertribal dancing, any specials and hoop dance demonstration

5 p.m. Performance from Arvel Bird

6 p.m. Grand entry, introductions, round dance and intertribal dancing

7 p.m. Contest dance all categories, intertribal dancing, any specials and hoop dancer demonstration

9 p.m. Closing ceremony

 

Sunday, Oct. 29

12 p.m. Opening ceremony

 1 p.m. Grand entry, round dance, intertribal dancing and hoop dance demonstration

 2 p.m. Contest dancing

 3 p.m. Announcement of dance contest winners

3:30 p.m. Closing ceremony

 4 p.m. Discovery Park closes

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