CCTP Powwow Calendar has been advised that this event is no longer at the Withlacoochee River Park. We have not been able to confirm its new location so are removing it as an active listing until we can do so.
Celebrate moms and native culture at the Mittie Wood Memorial Mothers Day Native American Pow Wow at the Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City, Florida. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the day. All drums and dancers are invited. Enjoy Native American Food (Fry Bread, Indian Taco, Etc.), American Foods, and Indian Arts and Crafts, Flint Knapping, Basket Weaving, and 50/50 Raffles.
Experience the sights and sounds of the Mittie Wood Memorial Mothers Day Native American Pow Wow Drumming and dancing, Flute Players, and Storytelling. Grand entries and intertribal dancing all 3 days.
Gates Open
Friday – 9:00am to 10:00pm
Saturday – 9:00am to 10:00pm
Sunday – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Admission Fees
$5.00 per person
Children under 10 FREE
Head Staff
MC: To be announced
Host Drum: To be announced
Head Lady: To be announced
Head Man: To be announced
Arena Director: To be announced
Camping Available
– Primitive in the field – $15.00 per event Primitive with power
– $20.00 per event Self contained motor home in field
– $20.00 per event Motor home with power and water
– $45.00 per event
Withlacoochee River Park is in charge of camping in wooded area.
No animals in wooded area
Location
Withlacoochee River Park
12449 Withlacoochee Blvd
Dade City,FL 33525
352-567-0264
Vendor Booth space: $180.00 for 3 day event
More Information: Sharon Thomas 352-567-0264 windspirit1985@yahoo.com
“Big Ma” and the Mittie Wood Memorial Mothers Day Native American Pow Wow
LeEstes Keiser Hamm spent countless hours telling her children and other kin about their Muscogee Creek tribe ancestry — their culture and their traditions. For all of her 78 years Big Ma could never completely shake the fear of openly sharing her heritage, out of concern that she would be forced to Oklahoma like her ancestors during the Trail of Tears.
That secret slipped only after her daughter Mittie Wood started the annual Mother’s Day Pow Wow in her own mother’s honor with the blessing of the Pasco County commissioners back in 1991. “Do you know what you’re doing?” Wood, now 68, recalls her late mother asking. “They’re gonna come get us and take us to Oklahoma.”
Wood said the Mittie Wood Memorial Mothers Day Native American Pow Wow
was born after her twin granddaughters, who wore traditional Creek regalia, started kindergarten and were teased at school. She started voluntarily educating Pasco’s schoolchildren about American Indian culture and soon saw a shift in acceptance. She began planning a powwow to showcase traditions like dance, storytelling, blow guns and flint knapping. The first year drew about 600 people over the three days, she said. Now the turnout is more like 2,500 to 3,000 throughout the weekend.
The Withlacoochee River Park includes A Creek Village built years ago specifically for the Mittie Wood Memorial Mothers Day Native American Pow Wow, as well as an arena where storytelling, demonstrations and performances are held.
While the powwow is dedicated to Big Ma, it goes out to all mothers.
Big Ma died a decade after the powwow began, and her ashes were released in the Withlacoochee River, not far from the powwow site. But her spirit lives through her family and the simple message she taught them: “Be proud of where you come from, no matter where it is.”
No drugs, alcohol, or firearms. All pets must be on a leash (with owner on the other end). All wolf hybrids must have papers to enter pow wow.
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the next Mittie Wood Memorial Mothers Day Native American Pow Wow in Dade City, FL.