Pow Wow
By Christian Toews
January 1, 2022
The annual Choctaw Pow Wow was held December 3 through 5 at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant, Oklahoma. Over 600 registered dancers, with over 50 tribes from more than 25 states and three Canadian provinces, participated in the weekend-long event filled with dancing, singing, food and crafts.
Hundreds of spectators were also in attendance throughout the weekend. Powwows.com reported 640,000 views on the live webstream, with 111 countries watching and Russia being a new one this year.
The sound of jingle dresses fill the Choctaw event center during the pow wow.
Drummers and singers compete for prizes and first-place jackets. The drum contest had $23,000 in prize money available for both Northern and Southern styles.
The Choctaw Nation Color Guard takes part in the grand entry of the 2021 Choctaw pow wow.
Contestants young and old danced in this year's pow wow. Kids categories ranged from ages 0-6, 7-12 and 13-17 all with cash prizes available.
Photos by Kellie Matherly
Over 30 vendors with 15 Choctaw and other tribal vendors attended the weekend with their products and services.
According to Kerry Steve, one of the event’s organizers, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 visitors came and went each day.
With lots of dancing and prizes, there was plenty of activity to keep visitors and competitors entertained throughout the three-day event.
William Daniel Isaac of the Mississippi band of Choctaws sings as dancers perform the garfish dance.
Choctaw singers sing Christmas carols in both Choctaw and English at Choctaw Day activities at the new Choctaw Cultural Center.
Photos by Chris Jennings