Meskwaki Powwow

[Abby Brown] Every year for over 100 years, there's a Meskwaki powwow. It's a cultural event like none other. And anyone is welcome to attend.

(Map marking Tama County in central Iowa.)

The annual Meskwaki Powwow, held near Tama, Iowa, is full of music, dancing, food, activities, and traditions.

This gathering started a long time ago to celebrate the harvest. Today, it's grown into a very special way to honor the traditions and history of the Meskwaki Nation.

Each of the event’s four days starts with a grand entry. Spectators stand as men, women and children enter the arena dancing to authentic music.

The drum is an important part of the powwow celebration. It has sacred ties to the native way of life, and it's a big part of the music performed during the powwow.

The costumes have deep meanings too. Some of them have been passed down through the generations.

Most of them are handmade. All the way from the headdress down to the footwear.

(Light blue, leather moccasins.)

Can you imagine all the hard work and patience that went into creating these amazing outfits?

(Light blue beads laid out in horizontal rows that are interwoven with red, green, white and dark blue beads to create native american symbols.)

(A bold eagle in flight on a light blue background.)

The crowds who come to watch and participate in the Meskwaki Powwow are very respectful. And there are lots of smiles and fun too.

The Meskwaki Powwow is a unique, social and memorable way to learn about the Meskwaki history and the culture that still remains and thrives today.

Every county in Iowa has traditions that reflect the people who live there. Here in Tama County, Meskwaki Nation is proud to share their heritage at the remarkable powwow.

Funding for FIND Iowa has been provided by The Coons Foundation, Pella and the Gilchrist Foundation.