ENID, Okla. - Fall means it's time for the annual Pow Wow celebration of Leona Mitchell and the culture of other Native Americans and Black Indians in Oklahoma. The event celebrates cultural events, encourages the use of art to showcase Indian arts and culture and raises awareness of Ethnic Indians.
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The Leona Mitchell Southern Heights Heritage Center and Museum is preparing for its 18th annual Pow Wow on Saturday, October 6, 2018. Organizers are looking for individual and corporate sponsors to underwrite the cost of the event and to make necessary repairs to the museum. The museum highlights the history and culture of Black Indians related to the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribes, and the historic African-American community in the Southern Heights area of Enid.
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If you are interested in sponsoring Pow Wow activities or donating to the museum and heritage center please visit the website here, or call (580) 402-2524.
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Events take place outside of the Leona Mitchell Southern Heights Heritage Center and Museum, 616 Leona Mitchell Blvd. Take your lawn chairs and enjoy a day of learning, entertainment and meeting new friends. Throughout the day there will be a learning station, crafts and play as well as ethnic Indian education.
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The very popular Grand entry happens in the late afternoon and everyone is invited. This is a public event and you are encouraged to take the entire family for fun, education and a cultural experience.
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Headman Dancer: Steve Kaudlekaule
Head Lady Dancer: TBA
Arena Director: Kieto St. James A.M.
Arena Director: Charles Warrior P.M.
Head Singer: Ricky Leroy
Hosts: Ponca Gourd Dance Society (*All Gourd Dancers Welcome)
*2017-2018 Princess Nora Feathers
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Schedule
Museum and Grounds Open (Food and Vendors): 10:00a.m.
Teaching Tipi: Learning Station and Play Areas: 10:00 a.m. til close
Welcome: 10:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Museum, Teaching Tepee; Food, Vendors, Crafts, Play Areas, Horse Arena-Open Regalia Parade
11:00 a.m. Friendship Dance
11:30 a.m. Art, Tent Contest Awards
12:00 noon Exhibit Dancing
1:00 p.m. Princess Contest
1:30 p.m. Boys Dance Contest
2:00 p.m. Girls Dance Contest
2:30 p.m. Gourd Dancing
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Traditional Meal
5:30 p.m. Grand Entry
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Adult Contests
7:00 p.m. Men’s Straight Dance
Men’s Fancy Dance
Womens’s Cloth/Fancy Shawl or Jingle Dance
Adult Dance Contest Prize(s)
*Men’s Straight Dance $200 (Winner Take All)
*Mens Fancy Dance $200 (Winner Take All)
*Women’s Cloth/Fancy Shawl or Jingle Dance $300 (Winner Take All)
Children’s Dance Contest Prize(s)
*Boys Dance Contest $50.00 (Winner Take All)
*Girls Dance Contest $50.00 (Winner Take All)
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Pre-Pow wow Activities
Friday Night Contest Tent Set-up/Camp Out.
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Saturday Pow Wow
Teaching Tepee Activities
10:30 a.m. Princess Training
11:30 a.m. Pow wow Dancing/Singing
12:00-closed
1:00 p.m.3
2:00 p.m. Cultural Bingo
3:00 p.m. until closing: Hand-out Materials
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Pow Wow History
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The first Black Indian Pow Wow in Enid was to call members of the five tribes home so they might re-claim some heritage lost due to forced exile. Historians estimate that about 18 percent of the Indians that survived the Trail of Tears were Black.
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In 1929 when settlers discovered gold on Cherokee lands in Georgia, the government wanted them moved off their land. The Indian Removal Act started the 1,000 mile walking trip which became known as the Trail of Tears when the Indians were moved to land west of the Mississippi River. Many Indian nations had their land taken away. The Cherokee arrived in Indian Territory in 1839, which is now Oklahoma, meaning "red people."
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You can find much more history of the Pow Wow by visiting the Leona Mitchell Southern Heights Heritage Center and Museum at 616 Leona Mitchell Blvd. Call for more info 580-402-2524.
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