Discovery Park of America hosts Native American Educational Powwow October 27-29, 2023

Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tenn. is hosting a three-day Native American Educational Powwow on Oct. 27 – 29, 2023. The goal of this event, unique in Northwest Tennessee, is to provide a place for Indigenous people from tribes around the country to celebrate their culture while educating Discovery Park visitors on this aspect of our nation’s past, present and future.

The 2023 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow will include competitions and displays of Indigenous storytelling, drumming, singing and competition dancing. There will also be Native American artisans, craftsmen and traders displaying and selling their work. Food vendors will provide opportunities to enjoy traditional cuisines like fry bread, tacos and hominy. All powwow activities take place on Discovery Park’s great lawn.

The weekend schedule includes: Friday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend the festivities but Friday has been planned with students in mind.

There will be two sessions of circle events: 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

The circle events will include the following: Choctaw dancers in a powwow circle; Social dances, stories and interactive dances with students; Exhibition powwow category dances; Explanation of dances for each category present, hoop dancer and games for students to participate in; Arvel Bird performance and storytelling.

After each session, “Birds of Prey” demonstrations will be provided from representatives of Reelfoot Lake State Park. An additional talk from the state park ranger will be provided at 3 p.m. for anyone who missed the first two demonstrations.

Saturday, Oct. 28, events include: 10 a.m. Arvel Bird early preview; 11 a.m. Opening ceremony; 12:00 p.m. Grand entry, introduction, round dance and intertribal dancing; 1 p.m. Contest dance all categories, intertribal dancing and hoop dancer demonstration; 5 p.m. Performance from Arvel Bird; 6 p.m. Grand entry, introductions, round dance and intertribal dancing; 7 p.m. Contest dance, intertribal dancing and hoop dancer demonstration; 9 p.m. Closing ceremony

Sunday, Oct. 29 events include: 12:00 p.m. Opening ceremony; 1:00 p.m. Grand entry, round dance and Intertribal dancing; 1:45 p.m. Hoop dancer demonstration; 2:00 p.m. Contest dancing; 3:00 p.m. Announcement of category winners and closing ceremony; 4:00 p.m. Discovery Park closes