A powwow (also pow wow or pow-wow) is a gathering with dances held by many Native American and Canadian First Nations communities. Inaugurated in 1923, powwows today are an opportunity for Indigenous people to socialize, dance, sing, and honor their cultures.
Powwow, a celebration of American Indian culture in which people from diverse indigenous nations gather for the purpose of dancing, singing, and honouring the traditions of their ancestors.
Gathering of Nations isn’t just the world’s largest powwow, it’s a homecoming, it’s a bucket list trip. Year after year, people travel from every corner of the globe to stand together on one sacred ground, to celebrate culture, renew bonds, and carry on traditions that have endured for generations.
The gatherings preserved languages, dances and diplomatic ties in spite of federal bans on Native ceremonies. Today, events range from small community socials to the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, the largest powwow in North America, attracting 3,000+ dancers and 80,000 spectators each April.
Powwow regalia is a powerful mode of self-expression that blends historical and modern dress. Worn with responsibility and pride, the clothing represents community traditions and personal tastes.
The term “powwow” derives from Pau Wau, meaning “medicine man” in Narrtick, a language spoken by the Algonquian peoples in Massachusetts. English settlers began misusing the word to refer to the meetings of Indigenous medicine men, and later to any kind of American Indian gathering.
Powwow regalia, often simply referred to as “regalia,” is the traditional clothing and accessories worn by Native American dancers and participants at powwows, which are social and cultural gatherings that celebrate Native American heritage through song, dance, and other activities.