2019 Oshke Kno Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow
The 10th Annual Oshke Kno Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow will be held on May 25-26, 2019 at Rodgers Lake Campus in Dowager, Michigan. The Oshke Kno Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow is held each Memorial Day Weekend, and is named in recognition of the Pokagon Band community eagle staff carried by the Pokagon Band veterans.
Oshke Kno Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow
Oshke-Kno-Kewéwen in the Potawatomi language refers to a new eagle staff, which is much like a national flag. The Pokagon Band veterans constructed two eagle staffs, which hold dozens of eagle feathers, each representing a tribal family. This pow wow honors the staffs and the hundreds of Pokagon veterans and past tribal leaders represented on it.
The Grand Entries for the pow wow, which are the formal start of the dancing and songs, are at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. On both mornings, vendors will set up before the dancing starts; gates to the Oshke Kno Kewewen Traditional Pow Wow grounds open at 10:00 a.m.
This event is considered a traditional pow wow. The Band’s long-running Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Pow Wow during Labor Day weekend is a contest pow wow, where dancers compete before judges in different categories. A traditional pow wow is a lower-key event focused on bringing the community together.
Part family reunion, part traditional ceremony, the Oshke Kno Kewewen Traditional Pow Wow is a time for native people to celebrate their identity and to visit and share with their friends in the greater community and for traditional drum groups to sing their songs, for tribal dancers to perform their steps, and for craftsmen and women to display their handiwork.
Powwow Schedule
Friday
10:00 AM Grounds Open
6:00 PM Potluck Dinner (traditional foods cook-off with prizes)
Saturday
10:00 AM Grounds Open
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Dancer Registration (all dancers)
1:00 PM Grand Entry
6:00 PM Meal for Dancers & other invited guests (must have ticket)
6:00 PM Grand Entry
Sunday
10:00 AM Grounds Open
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM Continental Breakfast (while supplies last)
1:00 PM Grand Entry
Oshke Kno Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow Mini Gallery
Powwow Head Staff
Master of Ceremonies: To Be Announced
Arena Director: To Be Announced
Firekeeper: To Be Announced
Head Veteran: To Be Announced
Head Male Dancer: To Be Announced
Head Female Dancer: To Be Announced
Invited Drums: To Be Announced
Free Camping Registration (includes electricity and showers)
Wednesday 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM Pokagon citizen early registration
Thursday Noon – 7:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM – Noon (if spots are available)
Location
Rodgers Lake Campus
58620 Sink Rd
Dowagiac, MI 49047
The Oshke-Kno-Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow is a family friendly event. No drugs, alcohol, firearms or tribal politics are allowed. No pets. No outside firewood allowed. Firewood will be provided while supplies lat.
The Oshke-Kno-Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow is hosted by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.
For More Information:
Call Marchell at 269-462-4204 or email Marchell.Wesaw@PokagonBand-nsn.gov.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Oshke Kno Kewéwen Traditional Pow Wow on Memorial Day Weekend at Rodgers Lake Powwow Grounds in Dowagiac, Michigan.
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