New Public Pow Wow Education Program Teaches Art, Storytelling, Music and Dance
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana will host its 21st annual Pow Wow Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will take place in the Earl J. Barbry, Sr. Convention Center at Paragon Casino Resort (711 Paragon Place, Marksville, La. 71351). Hosted each year in Marksville, Louisiana, the Tunica-Biloxi
Pow Wow serves as a social gathering for Tunica-Biloxi tribal members and non-members to experience the history and traditions of the tribe. The Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow affirms the endurance of indigenous culture through vibrant craft displays, music performances, dance presentations and cultural exhibits.
The 2016 Pow Wow will include a featured performance by Tunica-Biloxi Singers & Legend Keepers and Native American dance and drum competitions which include cash prizes. The dance competition will feature 13 categories, including the Chicken Dance and Northern and Southern categories in men and women’s Golden Age. The drum competition will be split into Northern and Southern categories. Registration for the dance and drum competition will be Saturday, May 21, from 8 a.m. to noon in the Mari Showroom lobby. Pow Wow attendees will also be able to enjoy art, food and crafts from more than 35 vendors during the two-day event.
The Pow Wow’s 2016 head staff includes, Crystal Williams (Elton, La.) as Head Lady Dancer, Gabe Bullock (Livingston, Texas) as Head Man Dancer, Randy Frazier 
(Oklahoma City, Okla.) as Head Dance Judge, Bert Polchies (Waite, Maine.) as Head Drum Judge, Tony Conrad (Zachary, La.) as Head Gourd Dancer, Southern Red Singers (Santo Domingo Pueblo, N.M.) as Southern Host Drum, White Bull Singers (Wind River
Reservation, Wyo.) as Northern Host Drum, Leland Thompson (Elton, La.) as Arena Director, and Tim Tall Chief (Jones, Okla.) and Alexander Santos (Apache, Okla.) as Co-Emcees.
Tickets for the Pow Wow will be available for purchase on-site and include $5 for general admission and $3 for children 5 years old and under. Pow Wow registered drum singers and dancers in regalia with numbered credentials will receive free admission. The event will include a $5 entry fee for dance competition participants. Parking will be available at the Paragon Casino Resort; rates for RV camping and lodging will be provided upon request.
The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe’s Pow Wow Committee is pleased to offer a new Pow Wow education program in advance of the event Friday, May 20, at 10 a.m. in the Mari Showroom at Paragon Casino Resort. The free event will provide the public with an opportunity to learn firsthand about Indian cultures from native people. Participants will be able to partake in Pow
Wow dance demonstrations, hear tribal folklore, language and songs from the Tunica-Biloxi Singers & Legend Keepers, and learn about traditional basketry and clothing from various regional tribes. The Pow Wow Committee encourages parents to bring their children to this special program. Groups are welcome. To attend the Pow Wow education program, contact Elisabeth Mora at (318) 240-6432 or emora@tunica.org.
For lodging or general information about the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow, call (800) 946-1946 or visit www.tunicapowwow.org. Vendors interested in participating at the event must apply in advance by contacting (318) 253-1923 or avosar@paragoncasinoresort.com.