The event will take place Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21 at the Hannahville Indian Community Gathering Grounds, W339 US-41 in Bark River.

The three-day celebration will feature traditional dancing, singing, food, crafts and cultural activities, drawing participants from throughout Michigan, Wisconsin and Canada.

The powwow begins the evening of June 19 with a grand entry at 7 p.m. Additional grand entries are scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as Sunday at noon.

Molly Meshigaud, culture manager for the Hannahville Indian Community, said the event serves as both a community gathering and an opportunity for the public to learn more about Potawatomi traditions.

Singing and playing a large drum, members of a drum circle keep the beat for dancers during last year's annual Great Lakes Area Traditional Powwow. (Daily Press file photo)

“I always describe it as a social event,” Meshigaud said. “I think it’s important for people to see and learn about our culture, because then they have a better understanding of who we are.”

The powwow is tribal funded and will feature dancers, drum groups, vendors and contests throughout the weekend.

Attendees can browse vendors offering handmade beadwork, blankets, clothing and other crafts, while food vendors will serve favorites such as Indian tacos and blanket dogs.

Free community meals will also be available during a breakfast and dinner feast on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Meals are open to everyone, regardless of tribal affiliation.

“You don’t have to be a dancer. You don’t have to be a singer. You don’t even have to be Native American,” Meshigaud said. “If you are there Saturday morning and you want to eat breakfast, you can. Same with the dinner feast and Sunday breakfast.”

The Hannahville Indian Community, a Potawatomi tribe, will soon hold their 50th annual Great Lakes Area Traditional Powwow at the Hannahville Indian Community Gathering Grounds. (Daily Press file photo)

Additionally, several special contests are planned, including a Men’s and Women’s Woodland Dance contest, a Hand Drum contest and the Deadliest Auntie and Uncle contest.

The Woodland Dance contests, scheduled for Saturday evening, will showcase Woodland-style dancing while dancers wear traditional regalia. Winners will receive cash prizes.

The Hand Drum contest is expected to take place Sunday afternoon and will also award monetary prizes to the top performers.

The Deadliest Auntie and Uncle contest, expected to occur during Saturday’s dinner break, celebrates participants known for their humor, personalities and eye-catching attire.

Saturday evening will also feature the crowning of Miss Great Lakes and Brave titleholders that is open to tribal members and descendants. The Brave title returns this year after an absence of more than a decade.

Throughout the weekend, dancers will receive honorariums as a gesture of appreciation for their participation.

“Each session, dancers receive an honorarium because we’re thanking them for coming and dancing,” Meshigaud said. “We also know that it’s costly to travel to different places, and it’s costly to eat. It’s just a way of thanking those dancers for coming to our community.”

To commemorate the 50th anniversary, the tribe held a logo contest for area youth. The winning design, created by tribal member Seth Williams, will be featured on commemorative T-shirts sold during the event.

Meshigaud said the powwow benefits both the tribal community and the surrounding area by attracting visitors who stay in local hotels, shop at area businesses and dine at local restaurants.

“I think the main benefit of it is just bringing our culture into the community and teaching people about different aspects of our ways of life,” she said.

For those attending their first powwow, masters of ceremonies will be available throughout the weekend to answer questions and help visitors better understand the cultural significance of the event.

For general questions, contact Meshigaud at 906-399-1875. Vendor inquiries can be directed to Kelly Tovar at 906-399-2308.

—

Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.