Denver March Powwow

March 21-23, 2025

I had a chance to visit the Denver March Powwow over the weekend. I went for a few reasons: many of the Tribes I work with would be represented there and I wanted to support them; I had a few meetings I needed to attend to; and powwows are just freaking cool.

If you’ve never been to a powwow, you should absolutely go. The one in Denver is the second largest in the country; over 1,500 dancers from over 100 tribes participate in the event. In addition, the Denver event kicks off powwow season across the country, meaning that no matter where you live, there’s a pretty good chance that you can attend one close to you.

I went both on Friday and Saturday. I thought maybe what I could do here is give you a little idea what to expect when you go to a powwow, as well as my general impressions of this event. Maybe the best way to do this is an imagined Q&A style, so here we go. Oh and if you have questions I didn’t answer, hit me below.

Can I go to a powwow even if I am not Native?

Totally. Powwows are community events. Many times they are multitribal. But usually they are open to the public (if they’re for Tribal Members only, you probably won’t know about them anyway). One of the cool things about the Denver powwow is that they actually offer a spectator’s guide, which you can find here. I think one of the cool things about attending over the weekend was the diversity of folks in attendance. There were lots of people from lots of walks of life. But if you want to learn about Native culture or Native history, or just show support, powwows are great spaces to do that.

Is it ok to buy stuff from vendors even if I’m not Native?

Absolutely. Buying artwork and textiles from Native vendors is a great way to support Native communities and economies. And if you’re worried about whether or not it’s appropriate for you to purchase or use an item, just ask. Folks will tell you. But in most cases, absolutely. Wearing something beautiful that you got from a Ute artist or a Choctaw craftsman is a great way to tell other people about your experiences when they comment on them.

What if I don’t know anything about the tribes?

One of the things I want to stress to you is that yes, I have a Ph.D. in American history with a focus on Indigenous and environmental history. Yes, I am writing a book on Indigenous Florida. Yes, I’ve worked for Tribes, and yes I continue to work with tribes in my current role. But no, I’m not an expert. I have no idea what it means to be Native. None whatsoever. In fact, one of the things I’m always stressing is a simple idea: embrace your ignorance.

It’s totally ok to not know things. No one expects anyone to know everything about anything anyway. So when you go to powwows and you’re talking to craftspeople or merchants, it’s ok to ask questions about the artwork or where the person is from. Be respectful of course, but how are you supposed to learn if you don’t ask? In my experience, people are almost happy to talk about who they are no matter if they are from China or the Chickasaw Nation.

What do I wear?

Be casual. But be warned that it gets warm inside the arena when all the people show up to watch the dances.

What do I eat?

FRYBREAD. You will eat frybread because it’s the greatest thing ever created. Frybread is as I understand it made of a mixture of flour, baking powder, and lard, and then fried in oil. What’s kind of amazing is that it will fill you up but not sit on you all day. Frybread comes in many forms, but usually you’ll find it either savory as an Indian taco, or sweet with powdered sugar like a beignet. There must have been over two hundred people in line when it first opened on Friday. I waited a bit to get in line, but folks, it’s so worth it. Food is culture. And one of the best things you can do to show your appreciation for someone is to eat their food. Go eat the food.

Somewhere under there is the actual frybread itself.

Wait, what’s with all the military stuff?

I think one of the things that surprises people given the United States’ history of attempted genocide and forced relocation is just how many American Indian citizens serve in the armed forces. In fact, Native folks enlist in rates far outstripping other ethnic groups.¹ This is for a lot of different reasons that I don’t have room to go into here, but here’s an essential truth: many folks are both proud members of their sovereign nation AND of the United States. Further, American Indian veterans have contributed to the nation’s history since well before there was a United States. This makes recent erasure from federal websites of people like Ira Hayes (Pima), who fought at Iwo Jima, all the more frustrating.²

What were the best parts of going to the powwow?

For me there were a couple. First, I got to see a few of the folks I work with. It’s hard to express here, but I just love everyone who I’ve gotten to to know out here. And I think the best thing you can do to demonstrate that is just to show up.

And then of course was the event itself. I think the thing about events like these are the opportunities not to just see them, but to feel them. To hear the MC telling jokes, witness the grand procession, the artistry and athleticism of the dancers, and power of the singers and drummers is hard to replicate here in type. It’s something you have to experience for yourself and I hope if you get the chance that you’ll go.

Beyond that is if you are like me and are not Native, the reminder of how amazing and vibrant and resilient Indigenous communities are and what what a gift it is to live in a world alongside them, share with them, and learn from them. And frankly, that’s how we need to treat everyone.

I don’t know how you could be in this arena and not be moved by all of this.

This is from the grand entrance.

Dancers during a competition.

One final thing and this really stuck in my mind: on Friday night after the powwow finished, I stopped to help out a couple different Tribal Members who were having engine trouble. Thankfully they each just needed a quick jump, meaning that fell within my extremely limited auto repair abilities. We hung out for a bit talking as the lot cleared. After mentioning my work, one of the men asked, “Hey man, aren’t you worried about your job?”

Jason.

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