2019 Winnebago Homecoming Powwow and Celebration
Join us for the 153rd Annual Winnebago Homecoming Powwow and Celebration on July 25-28, 2019 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winnebago, Nebraska. Known as one of the two “world’s oldest powwows,” the annual homecoming celebration honors Chief Little Priest and 75 of his Winnebago warriors who served with the US Cavalry in 1865. The Winnebago Homecoming Powwow and Celebration features traditional songs, dances and food. Visitors come from throughout the US and foreign countries. Camping is available. Craft and food concessions are available on the grounds.
Winnebago Homecoming Powwow and Celebration
The homecoming celebration is an opportunity to celebrate the tribe’s heritage and honors veterans of all wars. The annual celebration begins at dawn Wednesday, as two of Chief Little Priest’s descendants, Greg and James Neff, hoist an 1866 replica flag to the top of its pole. Flags representing 70 or more fallen veterans, including Little Priest, will continue to be raised each morning at 6 a.m. and retired at 5 p.m.
It’s no small feat for a tribe to have held an annual powwow over a century. The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska — one of two federally recognized tribes of Ho-Chunk Native Americans organized under the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act — prides itself on holding one of “The World’s Oldest Pow Wows.”
Admission $5.00 – Public Welcome
Daily: 6:00 a.m. Flag Raising Ceremony
Registration:
Thursday 10:00 a.m. Opens
Friday 8:00 p.m. Closes
Grand Entries
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m.
Location
Veteran’s Memorial Park
East Avenue
Winnebago, NE 78061
For More Information:
Tara Hernandez 402-878-3100 tara.hernandez@winnebago.com
Veterans Info: Gordon Rave 402-922-2179
Winnebago Homecoming Powwow and Celebration Mini Gallery
Powwow Head Staff:
Master of Ceremonies: To Be Announced
Arena Directors: To Be Announced
Drum Judge: To Be Announced
Head Dancers: To Be Announced
Host Drums: To Be Announced
Invited Host Drums: To Be Announced
Current Jr. & Sr. Miss Winnebago
Dance Contest Prize Money
All contest point begin Thursday 7:00 p.m.
Golden Age (50+) $1000 $800 $600 $400 $300 $200
Adult (20-49) $1000 $800 $600 $400 $300 $200
Teens (13-19) $500 $400 $300 $200 $100 $75
Juniors (7-12) $250 $200 $150 $100 $75 $50
Tiny Tots: Paid Daily
Dance Contest Categories
All Men: Traditional, Grass, Fancy
All Women: Traditional, Hochunk Applique, Fancy, Jingle
Adult Men: Southern Straight
Adult Women: Southern Combined
Drum Contest – 7 Places
$10,000 $8,000 $7,000 $6,000 $5,000 $4,000 $3,000
Non-Contest Drums paid each session.
Specials: To Be Announced
Homecoming Celebrates the 1886 Return of Chief Little Priest
The United States government forced the Ho-Chunk to give up portions of their land in the early 1800s. The tribe was relocated repeatedly for the next 50 years from Wisconsin to Iowa to Minnesota to South Dakota before being allowed to settle in Nebraska. Many eventually returned to Wisconsin and now comprise the federally recognized Ho-Chunk Nation.[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Read More”]
After settling in their new homeland, a group of Ho-Chunk warriors including their last war chief, Chief Little Priest, enlisted in the U.S. Army at the request of General Alfred Sully who needed help with battles against Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, Northern Arapahoe, and the Santee Dakota Bands.
According to the Nebraska Education on Location website, even though Chief Little Priest dreaded the idea of fighting against his Native brothers, he agreed to fight in order to save his tribe. As a result, General Alfred Sully used his influence in Washington D.C. to obtain the Winnebago-Omaha agreement.
The Winnebago Homecoming Celebration & Pow Wow pays tribute to the return of Chief Little Priest and 75 members of Fort Omaha Scouts Company A, 34th Nebraska Volunteers in April 1886. Chief Little Priest, who had been wounded in battle, died later in September.
The Winnebago celebration began in July of 1886 when Grey Wolf, Chief Little Priest’s brother, held a celebration of his brother’s life and notable achievements. Chief Little Priest walked on two months after the celebration in September 1886 from wounds he received as an army soldier.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Winnebago Homecoming Powwow and Celebration on the last Thursday – Sunday of July at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winnebago, Nebraska.
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