The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is hosting its 32nd annual powwow beginning Thursday.
Autumn Brownlee, a committee member of the powwow, told Siouxland Public Media on Thursday it is an important gathering that celebrates tradition and culture and honors ancestors.
“We don’t have a traditional reservation, so we have members living in different areas and the powwow grounds provide that vital space for us to return to our homeland and celebrate together”, she added.
Brownlee said the powwow allows people to come together and preserves cultural traditions.
She mentioned it also signifies the survival and endurance of the Ponca people.
People from all over the country come to participate in the powwow; this year drummers are coming from Oklahoma.
Brownlee said her favorite part about the powwow is watching the traditional dancers and seeing younger generations keeping tradition alive.
The Ponca Tribe’s powwow is located across Niobrara State Park and runs from Thursday to Sunday.
