Cultural Heritage

5th Annual Powwow of Arts and Culture

Celebrate Indigenous culture with traditional dance, music, arts and crafts, food vendors, and kids’ art activities! In partnership with the Nanticoke Indian Association, this event celebrates Indigenous culture with traditional dance, music, arts and crafts, food vendors, and art activities for children. This year we’re honored to welcome award-winning artist Fawn Wood for a special performance. This Powwow is open to the public. Visitors of all ages and background welcome.

Traditional performances and presentations by:

• MC – Keith Colston (Tuscarora and Lumbee)
• Arena Director – Chief Urie Ridgeway (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape)
• Head Lady – Adrienne Harmon (Nanticoke)
• Head Male – Louis Campbell (Lumbee)
• Hoop Dancer – Angela Gladue (Cree-nehiyaw)
• Flutist – Richie Olivera (Dakota/Chippewa)
• Storyteller – Ragghi Rain (Cherokee)
• Native Aztec dance – Tonantzin Yaotecas
• Host Drum – Red Blanket Singers (Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape)

Schedule

11:45 am – Blessing of the Grounds – Herman Jackson
12:00 pm – Grand Entry
12:30 pm – 1:30pm – Intertribal Dancing & Drumming- Specialty Dances
1:30-3:20 pm – Dancers Break
1:30-2:30 pm – Living Indigenous Tour with Margaret Winslow
1:30-1:50 pm – Ragghi Rain – Storyteller
1:50-2:10 pm – Richie Olivera – Flute
2:10-2:30 pm – Angela Gladue – Hoop Dancer
2:30-2:50 pm – Fawn Wood – Special Guest Performance
2:50-3:20 pm – Tonantzin Yaotecas Aztec Dancers
3:20-3:45 pm – Intertribal Dancing & Drumming – Specialty Dances
3:45-4:00 pm – Retiring of Flags and Recessional

Join us in welcoming and showing respect to our Nanticoke and Lenni-Lenape guests, and all Indigenous community members at the Powwow. Below you will find etiquette for non-native visitors:

• The dance arena and the seats nearest the circle are reserved for singers, dancers, drummers, and their families.
• Visitors are welcome to watch, but please do not participate in dancing unless explicitly invited by the Master of Ceremonies (MC).
• Please ask permission before taking photos or videos. Unless you are given permission by the MC.
• Please do not touch any part of the regalia of dancers.

Traveling from out of town for The Powwow of Arts & Culture? Hyatt Place Wilmington Riverfront is offering discounted room rates. Book your trip by April 8, using this link, to lock in this special rate.

Featured Artist

Fawn Wood from Saddle Lake Cree Nation is a celebrated Plains Cree and Salish musician from St. Paul, Alberta, Canada, known for her powerful contributions to traditional Indigenous music, including Round Dance, hand drum, and pow-wow singing. In 2022, she made history by winning the first-ever Juno Award for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year for her acclaimed album, Kâkike.In 2006, she became the first woman to win the Hand Drum contest at the Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow. She released her debut solo album, Iskwewak – Songs of Indigenous Womanhood, in 2012, which earned her the “Best Female Artist” award at the 2013 Native American Music Awards (NAMMYS).