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Teton Powwow sure to wow
The Native American Showcase and Teton Powwow is one of the region’s most spectacular celebrations of Indigenous art, dance, culture and education.
This weekend Central Wyoming College and Native American Jump Start, in conjunction with a host of community supporters, are poised to bring these major events to Jackson Hole starting Friday and running through Saturday.
“We are anticipating more participants than ever in the Teton Powwow from the Wind River Reservation and surrounding states,” said Ivan Posey, Central Wyoming College’s Tribal Education coordinator. “We are pleased with the interest the Jackson Hole community has shown over the years in the Teton Powwow. Each year is an opportunity to continue to build relationships and learn about the Indigenous cultures through song and dance.”
Jackson Hole and the surrounding region are ancestral lands for Indigenous peoples and are valued for their unique natural and scenic resources. These events have served as central gathering place for Indigenous people and as an opportunity for the public to learn about their culture and history.
“The Teton Powwow is an incredible opportunity to see the colorful and culturally rich Indigenous dance, music, and arts of tribes of the West,” said Susan Durfee, director of Central Wyoming College, Jackson. “No one can leave without being moved and inspired.”
From 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 11 to noon Friday, the Community Education Program will offer free presentations about American Indian culture at the Center for the Arts. American Indian vendors will open to the public at 4:30 p.m., and the Native American Dance Showcase will start at 7:15 p.m., previewing the dance traditions that will be on full display during Saturday’s third annual Teton Powwow at the Snow King Events Center.
The Teton Powwow, starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, is a full-day celebration of American Indian cultures. The powwow features dancers representing tribes from throughout the West who will compete in many traditional and contemporary dance forms.
“The third annual Teton Powwow in Jackson Hole is an exciting opportunity to engage with the area’s tribal groups,” Hunter Old Elk of Native American Jump Start said. “The Teton Powwow is special because it is Wyoming’s largest one-day powwow for dancers of all ages. We invite you as our special guest.”
Students of Central Wyoming College’s Tribal Wisdom Society and Native American Jump Start will manage the powwow and educational programs.
“This year I think another draw to the Teton Powwow is the prize money, which is a little higher this year than last year,” Posey said.
During the powwow, craftspeople and artisans will offer a colorful array of arts, such as beaded jewelry and artwork. Food vendors will sell Indigenous snacks and meals.
The grounds blessing begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, and the colorful grand entry begins at noon, with an all-ages powwow dance competition.
“We are proud of the programming that we do through our Bachelor’s in Tribal Leadership and the outreach of the Institute for Tribal Leadership,” CWC President Brad Tyndall said. “Our outreach especially through this powwow reminds us all of the important role American Indians play in our country.”
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