Thanksgiving is a time when many Alabama families make their way home. For the Poarch Creek Indians, that homecoming became a tradition in 1971, when Tribal Citizens gathered for their first Thanksgiving Pow Wow. This year, the Tribe will welcome visitors to its reservation in Atmore for the 54th annual Poarch Creek Thanksgiving Pow Wow on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after.
The gathering began among family and friends. By the 1980s, the Tribe had opened the Pow Wow to other tribes and the public, giving visitors a chance to hear the songs, watch the dances and learn about Native American traditions on the Tribe’s original reservation land.
“For more than five decades, our Pow Wow has brought generations of Tribal Citizens, families and visitors together to celebrate the traditions and culture that are at the heart of who we are as Native Americans,” said Tribal Chair and CEO Stephanie Bryan. “It is a special time for our Tribe to welcome people to our reservation, share Native American heritage and create memories together. We look forward to continuing this Thanksgiving tradition and welcoming everyone to Poarch Creek this year.”
Thanksgiving morning will get off to an early start with the annual 5K Turkey Trot. Registration opens at 6 a.m., and the race begins at 7 a.m. The Pow Wow gates open at 10 a.m., followed by the Poarch Creek Annual Princess Contest at 11 a.m. and the Grand Entry at 1 p.m.
The princesses will represent the Tribe throughout the coming year, serving as ambassadors at public events and tribal gatherings across the country.
The gates will open again at 10 a.m. Friday, with the Grand Entry at noon. Dance and drumming contests will take place throughout both days. The intertribal dance competition features dancers in traditional regalia performing several styles of Native American dance across age groups and divisions.
Between events, families can browse booths with handcrafted jewelry, artwork and other goods from Native artisans and vendors. There will also be barbecue and corn roasted over an oak wood fire.
The Pow Wow takes place Nov. 26–27 at the Poarch Creek Pow Wow Grounds, 6477 Jack Springs Road in Atmore. Admission is $15 for both days or $10 for one day, and children 6 and younger get in free. Tickets are sold only at the Pow Wow Grounds on event days. Find more details on the Tribe’s website.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
