2019 Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow
The 24th Annual Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow will be held on August 9-11, 2019, at Morsches’ Park in Columbia City, Indiana. The Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow is a traditional pow wow, without dance contests. The Miami people hosts this event annually on the weekend following the first full week in August. Friday opens at 5pm with bird of prey demonstration, 32 vendors with food, Native American products. Music, entertainment TBA. Silent auction. 8/10 open at 10am with vendors, food music, silent auction. Grand entry at 1pm and 6pm. Saturday and Sunday open at 10am vendors, scholarshio auction, flint knapping with Ron Keenedy, music, crafts for the children, lacrosse game. Grand entry at 12 noon. Close at 5pm. Free parking, free camping for dancers.
Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow
Every pow wow is a special event and this one is no exception. The Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow wow is unique because it creates a special occasion for the Native Americans to come together, here in Whitley County, to honor, strengthen and share traditions — with one another, and with the general public. This location in Whitley County is an appropriate setting for this event, for here in Miami territory was the birthplace of Mihsihkinaahkwa, or Little Turtle, the great Miami Chief.
An event, such as the Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow, gives us an avenue by which we can honor our women, elders and warriors, give gifts and recognition to those deserving, sing honor songs, ask questions of the elders, teach by example, dance in the sacred circle and be healed. No violence, weapons, drugs or alcohol are allowed on the pow wow grounds. No pets, please. Please honor our elders and help them when you can.
Admission
$4 for adults / $6 Weekend Pass
Free – Children 12 and under
Free – Registered Dancers and Traders
Camping: for dancers only. Contact Hotel Super 8. 235 Frontage Road, Columbia City, IN 260-244-5300
Location
Morsches Park
1035 Indiana 205 #205
Columbia City, IN 46725
The Mihshihkinaahkwa Pow Wow is held at Morsches’ Park in Columbia City, Indiana. Columbia City is located about 20 miles west of Fort Wayne on U.S. Highway 30. Take U.S. 30 to State Road 205. Turn South onto 205, then look for the Morsches’ Park sign on the right hand side (west side) of 205.
Vendors Contact
Cathy-260-625-4370 Freewill concert Friday at 7pm. Vendors open at 5pm. Silent auction Saturday, raffles and demonstrations.
For More Information:
Pat Smith: Email comanche72@frontier.com; Call 260-486-8199; Facebook Page
Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow Mini-Gallery
Powwow Drums and Dance Staff
Host Drum: Blue Heron Singers
Intertribal Host Drum: Medicine Woman Singers-Intertribal
Head Veteran Dancer: Dan Bissel
MC: Tim Loonsfoot
Arena Director: Steve Knauf
Head Man Dancer: Matt Wynk
Head Lady Dancer: Crystal Wynk
Jr. Head Man Dancer: Isaac Marks
Jr. Head Lady Dancer: Alaina Marks
Pee Wees Welcome
Tentative Schedule
Friday
5:00 p.m. Gates Open – Vendors Open
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Demonstration
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Concert Begins
Saturday
10:00 a.m. Gates Open
10:00 a.m. Vendors open (until closing)
11:30 a.m. Performance
10:00 – 12:00 a.m. Demonstration and Stories (until noon)
1:00 p.m. Grand Entry – East entrance of dance arena
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Demonstrations in Family Tent
4:00 p.m. Break for dancers and participants (til 6:pm)
6:00 p.m. Evening Grand Entry – East end of dance arena
6:15 p.m. Evening dancing (til 8:00pm)
8:00 p.m. End of Dancing – Close of Pow Wow for Saturday
Sunday
10:00 a.m. Gates Open
10:00 a.m. Vendors open (until closing)
10:30 a.m. Scholarship auction – Elders Tent
10:30 – 3:30 p.m. CHILDREN’S DAY – Activities for all ages, crafts, games, stories & books
12:00 p.m. Grand Entry – East Entrance of dance arena
4:00 p.m. Traditional presentation of gifts to Elders, Dignitaries and Participants
4:00 p.m. End of Pow Wow
Please respect the dance arena as a holy place while at the Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow:
- Do not sit on the straw bales that form the circle, unless you are a dancer.
- Do not sit at the drum, if you are female.
- Please stand, if you are able, and remove your hat or cap for honor songs such as the Grand Entry, the Flag Song, Veterans’ Songs, and when the MC requests it. An exception is made for those with eagle feathers on their hats or caps.
- Please stand when an honor song is sung for the women. The MC will remind you when an honor song is sung.
- Please do not touch the dancers’ outfits or feathers.
- Please report, to the nearest dancer, any feather that you see on the ground. Do not pick it up or move it. There is a special ceremony for retrieving it, especially if it is an eagle feather. Tribal affiliation will dictate the method of retrieval.
- Please enjoy the day with your children. Explain what is expected of them, try to find answers to their questions, and attempt to keep track of them! And, please remember that the Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow wow Committee is not responsible for accidents, injury or theft.
Mark your calendar now so you won’t miss the Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow at Morsches’ Park in Columbia City, Indiana!
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