2024 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow
Sep 19th - Sep 22nd
Our heritage park and museum will be the location of a four-day Native American Powwow to be held Thursday, Sept. 19 – Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
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 2024 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 2024 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.
To kick off the 2024 powwow, a free concert will be provided by John Lone Eagle on Thursday, Sept, 19.
This event is FREE with park admission or membership. A special four-day ticket is now available.
FOUR-DAY POWWOW PACKAGE
BEST VALUE! Sept. 19 – 22, 2024 ONLY.
- Enjoy general admission all four days of the Powwow 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
- Souvenir powwow booklet
Adult (18 and older): $37.99
Child (4-17): $29.99
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
Emcee
Al Santos
Tabulator
Meredith Printup Higgins
Eagle Staff Carrier
Dean Swimmer
Head Gourd Dancer
Tim Robinson, Sr.
Head Judge
Nicole Pavatea
Drum Staff
Host Northern Drum
Medicine Tail
Established in the early 2000s, the group blends traditional Native American drumming and singing with contemporary influences, creating a unique sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. Their music highlights the rich cultural heritage of Native American traditions, and they have been recognized for their contributions to the preservation and promotion of indigenous music. Medicine Tail continues to perform at powwows, cultural events, and music festivals, captivating listeners with their vibrant and soulful presentations.
Host Southern Drum
South Side
South Side, a Southern-style Native American drum group formed in 2010, features 13 members from various Southern tribes, including Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Cherokee and Comanche. The group is known for its traditional Southern-style songs and has gained recognition for its vibrant performances and cultural contributions.
Guest Gourd Drum
Ottertrail
Formed in 1992 in the northeastern U.S., Ottertrail is an intertribal southern-style powwow singing group named after the otter drag, a key element of southern straight dance regalia. Their debut recording, “Live at Hunter Mountain” (1995), established them on the powwow circuit, and subsequent albums solidified their reputation across the U.S. and Canada. Ottertrail has been nominated for Native American Music Awards and won a GRAMMY for “Red River Crossing.” They have also released multiple albums, including “Brotherhood” and “Trailblazin’,” and have contributed to major soundtracks like “Mission Impossible.”
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
Duane and Joyce Prescott of the Ho Chunk Nation
Paintings and other collectable items
Lauri Lake of the Navajo Nation
Native American Cuisine
Glory of the Morning Gallery Clair Billie – Ho Chunk Nation
Handmade jewelry, beadwork, cultural items
Michael & Ramona Frerichs of the Northern Arapaho Nation
Beadwork and Flutes
Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 19
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free concert by John Lone Eagle and Friends on Discovery Park’s Great Lawn
Friday, Sept. 20
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Though everyone is invited to attend, Friday’s festivities are designed with students in mind, featuring engaging educational experiences. Highlights include ‘Birds of Prey’ demonstrations by Reelfoot Lake State Park, Choctaw storytelling and dancing, powwow drum song exhibitions and hoop dancing demonstrations. Everyone will also have the opportunity to shop for Indigenous items and enjoy traditional food. Interested in registering your student group? To schedule your group email education@discoveryofamerica.com.
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. | Native American Gallery
Native American Gallery Tours
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. | Military Gallery
Smoke Dance Program
10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. | Great Lawn
Powwow Dance Exhibition
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. | Tennessee Room
Educational Programs Involving Native American Artifacts
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Great Lawn
Free concert by John Lone Eagle and Friends on Discovery Park’s Great Lawn.
ALL DAY ACTIVITIES (10 A.M. TO 3 P.M.)
Birds of Prey Demonstrations | Regional History Gallery
Arvel Bird (Meet and Greet) | Entrance Hall
Brent Greenwod (Stories and Paint) | Art Hall
Terrell Anquoe (Storytelling) | Dino Hall
John Lone Eagle (Meet and Greet) | Settlement Pavilion
Craft Projects | Tennessee Room
Saturday, Sept. 21
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
All powwow activities take place on Discovery Park’s great lawn
Vendors will be selling handmade, indigenous items and food all day
10 a.m. Discovery Park opens
10 a.m. Performance by Arvel Bird
11 a.m. Greeting, announcements and itinerary for the day
11:45 a.m. Dancer registration closes
12 p.m. Grand entry, round dance, intertribal dancing, contest dancing and hoop dance demonstration
5 p.m. Performance from Arvel Bird
6 p.m. Grand entry, round dance, intertribal dancing, contest dancing and hoop dance demonstration
9 p.m. Close
Sunday, Sept. 22
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All powwow activities take place on Discovery Park’s great lawn
Vendors will be selling handmade, indigenous items and food all day
10 a.m. Discovery Park opens
11 a.m. Performance by Arvel Bird
12 p.m. Greeting, announcements and itinerary for the day
1 p.m. Grand entry, round dance, intertribal dancing, contest dancing and hoop dance demonstration
3 p.m. Announcement of dance contest winners with prizes
3:30 p.m. Closing ceremony
4 p.m. Discovery Park closes
Book a Hotel
Mainstay Suites
1111 Blue Heron Lane, Building B, Union City, TN, 38261
731-599-7272
