| May 19 & 20, 2018 at the Chief Joseph Alcide Pierite Pow Wow Grounds at Paragon Casino Resort on the Tunica-Biloxi Reservation, Marksville, Louisiana |
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| 2002 |
| 2003 |
| 2004 |
| 2005 |
| Pow Wow History |
For centuries, neighboring nations have gathered for sport, singing, dancing, and
feasting. Like any other good neighbor, Indian nations have also shared their crafts,
music, and stories. The modern pow wow, as we know it, came into existence in the
late 19th century especially as tribes moved closer together in the American West. No
other event captures the American Indian spirit like the pow wow. Dancers in colorful
dress move gracefully around the ring, a steady drum beat directing their movements.
Tradition is passed from one generation to the next. The Native attire worn and the
dances, songs, and drum rhythms performed express traditions that began over 20,000
years ago. Today's pow wows often feature competitions in categories such as
traditional, fancy, grass, shawl, and jingle-dress dancing.
In addition to competitive pow wows, where prizes awarded for the best performances
in individual categories (as in the case of the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow), traditional pow
wows are held where dancers and singers perform, simply to have a good time singing
and dancing without competing for prizes. Tribes still separate their religious dances
from those presented during pow wow competitions.
Pow wows are usually open to the public and present a great opportunity for
non-Indians to learn about the various Indian cultures. They can last anywhere from a
few hours to several days, and frequently include craft displays, rodeos, and cultural
exhibits. You might also get a taste of ethnic food such as the popular Indian taco,
Indian fry bread, or the delicious buffalo burger.
The pow wow grand entry is like watching the entire human history of the western
hemisphere parade before your eyes. Singers and drummers representing a multitude
of tribal traditions and cultures gather in dress and song representing thousands of
years of presence on these continents. To be a spectator or participant is to be an
honored part of continuing historic significance.
feasting. Like any other good neighbor, Indian nations have also shared their crafts,
music, and stories. The modern pow wow, as we know it, came into existence in the
late 19th century especially as tribes moved closer together in the American West. No
other event captures the American Indian spirit like the pow wow. Dancers in colorful
dress move gracefully around the ring, a steady drum beat directing their movements.
Tradition is passed from one generation to the next. The Native attire worn and the
dances, songs, and drum rhythms performed express traditions that began over 20,000
years ago. Today's pow wows often feature competitions in categories such as
traditional, fancy, grass, shawl, and jingle-dress dancing.
In addition to competitive pow wows, where prizes awarded for the best performances
in individual categories (as in the case of the Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow), traditional pow
wows are held where dancers and singers perform, simply to have a good time singing
and dancing without competing for prizes. Tribes still separate their religious dances
from those presented during pow wow competitions.
Pow wows are usually open to the public and present a great opportunity for
non-Indians to learn about the various Indian cultures. They can last anywhere from a
few hours to several days, and frequently include craft displays, rodeos, and cultural
exhibits. You might also get a taste of ethnic food such as the popular Indian taco,
Indian fry bread, or the delicious buffalo burger.
The pow wow grand entry is like watching the entire human history of the western
hemisphere parade before your eyes. Singers and drummers representing a multitude
of tribal traditions and cultures gather in dress and song representing thousands of
years of presence on these continents. To be a spectator or participant is to be an
honored part of continuing historic significance.
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2006 Head Staff
Host Southern Drum
Southern Boyz
Lawton, OK
Host Northern Drum
Parker School Singers
Rocky Boy, MT
Head Gourd Dancer
Dick Whiteside
Gulfport, MS
Arena Director
Richard Rock
Rocky Boy, MT
Head Man Dancer
Andrew Gray
Pawhuska, OK
Head Woman Dancer
Randi Lynn Santos
Carnegie, OK
Emcee
Rob Daugherty
Jay, OK
Head Dance Judge
Dale Roberts
Atwood, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Indian Island, ME
2006 Head Staff
Host Southern Drum
Southern Boyz
Lawton, OK
Host Northern Drum
Parker School Singers
Rocky Boy, MT
Head Gourd Dancer
Dick Whiteside
Gulfport, MS
Arena Director
Richard Rock
Rocky Boy, MT
Head Man Dancer
Andrew Gray
Pawhuska, OK
Head Woman Dancer
Randi Lynn Santos
Carnegie, OK
Emcee
Rob Daugherty
Jay, OK
Head Dance Judge
Dale Roberts
Atwood, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Indian Island, ME
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2007 Head Staff
Host Southern Drum
Otter Trail Singers
Carnegie, OK
Host Northern Drum
Stoney Creek Singers
Hollister, NC
Head Gourd Dancer
John Procell
Noble, LA
Arena Director
Andrew Gray
Pawhuska, OK
Head Man Dancer
Richard Rock
Rocky Boy, MT
Head Woman Dancer
Jhane Myers
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Indian Island, ME
Head Dance Judge
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Emcee
Russell Standing Rock
Rocky Boy, MT
2007 Head Staff
Host Southern Drum
Otter Trail Singers
Carnegie, OK
Host Northern Drum
Stoney Creek Singers
Hollister, NC
Head Gourd Dancer
John Procell
Noble, LA
Arena Director
Andrew Gray
Pawhuska, OK
Head Man Dancer
Richard Rock
Rocky Boy, MT
Head Woman Dancer
Jhane Myers
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Indian Island, ME
Head Dance Judge
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Emcee
Russell Standing Rock
Rocky Boy, MT
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2008 Head Staff
Host Southern Drum
Scissor Tail Singers
Shawnee, OK
Host Northern Drum
Medicine Tail Singers
Atmore, AL
Head Gourd Dancer
Melvin WhiteBird
El Reno, OK
Arena Director
Mike Gabbard
Newton, IA
Head Man Dancer
Cricket Mahnomen
Quawpaw, OK
Head Woman Dancer
Rowena Roberts
Atwood, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Indian Island, ME
Head Dance Judge
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Emcee
Alex Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
2008 Head Staff
Host Southern Drum
Scissor Tail Singers
Shawnee, OK
Host Northern Drum
Medicine Tail Singers
Atmore, AL
Head Gourd Dancer
Melvin WhiteBird
El Reno, OK
Arena Director
Mike Gabbard
Newton, IA
Head Man Dancer
Cricket Mahnomen
Quawpaw, OK
Head Woman Dancer
Rowena Roberts
Atwood, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Indian Island, ME
Head Dance Judge
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Emcee
Alex Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2009 Head Staff
Southern Host Drum
Otter Trail Singers
Lawton, OK
Northern Host Drum
Red Spirit Singers
Roosevelt, UT
Head Gourd Dancer
David Flanders
Mansura, LA
Arena Director
Randy Frazier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Man Dancer
Quanah White Thunder
Livingston, TX
Head Lady Dancer
Michelle Reed
Crestview, FL
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Princeton, ME
Head Dance Judge
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Emcee
Alex Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
2009 Head Staff
Southern Host Drum
Otter Trail Singers
Lawton, OK
Northern Host Drum
Red Spirit Singers
Roosevelt, UT
Head Gourd Dancer
David Flanders
Mansura, LA
Arena Director
Randy Frazier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Man Dancer
Quanah White Thunder
Livingston, TX
Head Lady Dancer
Michelle Reed
Crestview, FL
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Princeton, ME
Head Dance Judge
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Emcee
Alex Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
| 2009 |
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2010 Head Staff
Head Lady
Bridget Ironshield
Cedar Park, TX
Head Man Dancer
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Arena Director
Quanah White Thunder
Livingston, TX
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Vance Beaver
Merryville, LA
Northern Host Drum
Kingbird Singers
Bemidgi, MN
Southern Host Drum
Cozad Singers
Hominy, OK
Emcee
Alex O. Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
2010 Head Staff
Head Lady
Bridget Ironshield
Cedar Park, TX
Head Man Dancer
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Arena Director
Quanah White Thunder
Livingston, TX
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Vance Beaver
Merryville, LA
Northern Host Drum
Kingbird Singers
Bemidgi, MN
Southern Host Drum
Cozad Singers
Hominy, OK
Emcee
Alex O. Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2011 Head Staff
Head Lady
Elisabeth Pierite
Marksville, LA
Head Man Dancer
Orlando Begay
Lawrence, KS
Arena Director
Dale Roberts
Atwood, OK
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Elwood Foreman, Jr.
Haynesville, LA
Northern Host Drum
Mystic River Singers
Mashantucket, CT
Southern Host Drum
Wild Band of Comanches
Fletcher, OK
Emcee
Rob Daugherty
Jay, OK
2011 Head Staff
Head Lady
Elisabeth Pierite
Marksville, LA
Head Man Dancer
Orlando Begay
Lawrence, KS
Arena Director
Dale Roberts
Atwood, OK
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Elwood Foreman, Jr.
Haynesville, LA
Northern Host Drum
Mystic River Singers
Mashantucket, CT
Southern Host Drum
Wild Band of Comanches
Fletcher, OK
Emcee
Rob Daugherty
Jay, OK
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2012 Head Staff
Head Lady Dancer
Sonya Smith
Dothan, AL
Head Man Dancer
Adam Nordwall
Stillwater, OK
Arena Director
Ray Kingfisher
Anadarko, OK
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Ken Dixon
Choctaw, MS
Northern Host Drum
The Scouts
Cleveland, TX
Southern Host Drum
Otter Trail Singers
Apache, OK
Guest Drum
Alamoosic Lake Singers
Indian Island, ME
Co-Emcees
Rob Daugherty
Jay, OK
Alexander Santos
Apache, OK
2012 Head Staff
Head Lady Dancer
Sonya Smith
Dothan, AL
Head Man Dancer
Adam Nordwall
Stillwater, OK
Arena Director
Ray Kingfisher
Anadarko, OK
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Ken Dixon
Choctaw, MS
Northern Host Drum
The Scouts
Cleveland, TX
Southern Host Drum
Otter Trail Singers
Apache, OK
Guest Drum
Alamoosic Lake Singers
Indian Island, ME
Co-Emcees
Rob Daugherty
Jay, OK
Alexander Santos
Apache, OK
Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow
2013 Head Staff
Head Lady
Toni Tsatoke-Mule
Norman, OK
Head Man Dancer
Marty Thurman
Shawnee, OK
Arena Director
Phillip C. “Yogie” Bread
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Alford “Cricket” Rice
Quapaw, OK
Northern Host Drum
Redboyz
Carlyle, Saskatchewan
Southern Host Drum
Buc Wild
Chinle, AZ
Co-Emcees
Alex O. Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
Quanah White Thunder
Livingston, TX
Keepers
2013 Head Staff
Head Lady
Toni Tsatoke-Mule
Norman, OK
Head Man Dancer
Marty Thurman
Shawnee, OK
Arena Director
Phillip C. “Yogie” Bread
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Head Dance Judge
Randy Fraizier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Alford “Cricket” Rice
Quapaw, OK
Northern Host Drum
Redboyz
Carlyle, Saskatchewan
Southern Host Drum
Buc Wild
Chinle, AZ
Co-Emcees
Alex O. Shepherd
Cedar City, UT
Quanah White Thunder
Livingston, TX
Keepers
| 2009 |
| 2012 |
| 2011 |
Past Years' Head Staff
2016 Tunica-Biloxi Pow Wow Head
Staff
Head Lady
Crystal Williams
Elton, LA
Head Man Dancer
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Arena Director
Leland Thompson
Elton, LA
Head Dance Judge
Randy Frazier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Tony Conrad
Zachary, LA
Northern Host Drum
White Bull Singers
Wind River Reservation, WY
Southern Host Drum
Southern Red Singers
Jemez Pueblo, NM
Co-Emcees
Tim Tall Chief
Jones, OK
Alexander Santos
Apache, OK
Staff
Head Lady
Crystal Williams
Elton, LA
Head Man Dancer
Gabe Bullock
Livingston, TX
Arena Director
Leland Thompson
Elton, LA
Head Dance Judge
Randy Frazier
Oklahoma City, OK
Head Drum Judge
Bert Polchies
Waite, ME
Head Gourd Dancer
Tony Conrad
Zachary, LA
Northern Host Drum
White Bull Singers
Wind River Reservation, WY
Southern Host Drum
Southern Red Singers
Jemez Pueblo, NM
Co-Emcees
Tim Tall Chief
Jones, OK
Alexander Santos
Apache, OK
