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Frommer's Guide
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FEATURES AND EVENTS
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Going Native in Oklahoma
by Adam Davis
Manager, Editorial and Promotional Content
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Dozens of powwows take place throughout the State of Oklahoma each year. Here are just a few of them. Call the numbers listed for dates and information, or visit the Oklahoma Tourism Web site at http://www.travelok.com/.
While many tribes welcome visitors to their powwows, it’s important to keep in mind that these sacred ceremonies are taken very seriously. Courtesy and respect for the rituals are required of all guests and participants.
March
Oklahoma City University Spring Powwow
Where: OCU’s Frederickson Field House, Oklahoma City
Information: 405-521-5302
April
Choctaw Intertribal Powwow
Where: Bryan County Fairgrounds, Durant
Information: 580-924-9411
June
Iowa Tribal Powwow
Where: Four miles south of Perkins on Hwy 177, Perkins
Information: 405-547-2402
July
Quapaw Powwow
Where: Beaver Springs Park, Quapaw
Information: 918-542-1853
August
Powwow of Champions
Where: Tulsa Fairgrounds, Tulsa
Information: 918-836-1523
September
Standing Bear Powwow
Where: Standing Bear Native American Memorial Park, Ponca City
Information: 580-762-1514, 800-475-4400
Information on powwows provided by Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, Travel & Tourism Division.
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Oklahoma. Doesn’t it make you want to sing? If so, you can thank Rodgers and Hammerstein for saddling the Sooner State with some of the catchiest melodies in show-tune history. But if you think that Oklahoma! is the only show in town, think again. Native Americans have been singing, drumming, and dancing here for hundreds--if not thousands--of years, and their cultural contributions are intricately woven into Oklahoma’s character. Sure, there’s Route 66 and the Chisholm Trail. But first and foremost there is the Native American. And for good reason: Oklahoma’s Native American population is the largest of any state in the U.S., supported by a vast network of tribal organizations, historical sites, and cultural centers that tell a complex story of celebration and sadness, devastation and rebirth. It’s a story that sometimes evokes humility, sometimes pride. And if you’re visiting Oklahoma, it’s a story not to be missed.
 Today, Oklahoma’s Native American population of some 250,000 includes descendants of more than 65 tribes. The state is home to the headquarters of 39 Tribal Nations, including the Choctaw, Shawnee, Apache, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Ponca, Seminole, Cherokee, Comanche, and dozens more. Some tribes can trace their ancestry back to the beginning of civilization in these parts. Others came unwillingly during the 1800s on the many “trails of tears,” but still managed to survive through brutal winters and epidemics of cholera, measles, and smallpox. Throughout the state, efforts to keep each tribe’s heritage alive are plentiful, so you don’t need to look very far to find educational and spiritual enrichment. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Powwow Power
Deciding what to see and do in Oklahoma might seem complicated at first, but if you have even a rough itinerary mapped out, you should have no problem choosing a few points of interest along the way. Wherever you’re going, from Tahlequah to Oklahoma City and beyond, it’s easy to visit a museum or stop off at a historical site. But if you really want to earn your eagle feathers, get yourself to a powwow.
Every year, there are more powwows in Oklahoma than you can shake a feathered stick at. Each is unique to the host tribe, but all are spiritual and uplifting. All you need to do is find one that welcomes guests, and pretty soon you’ll be carried away with the rhythm of the drum, learning the difference between a fancy dance and a buckskin dance, and a whole lot more. Before you get there, it’s important to understand that the powwow, while very uplifting and entertaining, is a sacred event. Guest participants should be respectful of the ceremony at all times. Once you arrive, be sure to follow the emcee’s instructions. Don’t take pictures without asking for permission first, and do not bring any alcohol to the event. Your courteous participation will open the door to one of the oldest and richest traditions in North America.
Digging the Red Earth
Preserving the traditions of dance, art, song, and community has long been a favorite theme for Oklahoma’s Native American gatherings, and chief among these gatherings (pun intended!) is the Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, held each year in Oklahoma City. For three days in June, descendents of more than 100 Native American tribes convene with visitors from all over the world to celebrate Indian culture, share and trade artwork, and watch the best of the best compete in a traditional dance contest. Highlights of the Festival include:
- Art Gallery - Here is where you can see and buy artwork by more than 250 well-known Native American artists, from paintings to pottery, jewelry, and more.
- Dance Competition - This is the Festival’s “must-see” event, featuring more than 1,000 of the most accomplished Native American dancers competing for prizes.
- Youth Art and Activities - Kids at the Festival will have plenty to do, with lots of hands-on activities to choose from, including beadwork, face painting, and storytelling.
For more information on the Red Earth Festival, visit http://www.redearth.org/.
If you can’t make it to the Red Earth Festival, never fear. Everywhere you go in Oklahoma you're sure to find opportunities to get into the Native American spirit.•
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