By Jessica Schultz
Covid took out a lot of events for the past two years and now that we are on the road to recovery, many of those events are making a triumphant return, bigger and bolder than ever. One of those events in the annual Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Pow Wow. Returning to Veteran’s Park in Salamanca, NY on July 16 & 17, the event promises to bring back old favorites and includes some great new things for our communities to enjoy.
The Seneca Nation has presented the annual celebration of Native American culture for 30 years. And though the global pandemic caused the forced cancelation of the 2020 and 2021, the powwow is one of the largest celebrations on Native American culture in the Northeast and attracts visitors and competitors from across the US and Canada. The Powwow Committee is determined that 2022’s event will bring back many familiar faces and be especially meaningful for people coming together after all of the difficulties.
“We have lost so many friends and loved ones over the past two years, within our Seneca community and across Indian Country,” the Committee stated. “Coming together for the powwow gives us all a chance to reconnect, reflect, honor those we lost, and, most of all, celebrate being together.”
The powwow honors all veterans and is named in honor of Marvin “Joe” Curry, a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Snipe Clan, who led a long and distinguished career of military service in the United States Navy, serving two tours of duty in the Korean War and also serving in the Vietnam War.
This is a family friendly event and it offers a wide variety of activities. There will be a Tiny Tot’s Dance for children 4 years old and younger, a cultural tent hosted by the Onohsagwë: de’ Cultural Center, Iroquois Social Dancing (which everyone is encouraged to join in for), Native artwork and crafts and of course food vendors like Murphy’s Concessions will be on scene for all to enjoy.
Also, we can’t forget the competitions. The powwow will feature a number of dance, drum and singing competitions, with more than $36,000 in prizes awarded. Dance competition categories include Smoke Dance, Jingle Dance, Grass Dance, and Traditional Dance. Special categories include Men’s Veterans Special, Women’s Veterans Special, “Honoring Our Womxn Healers” Jingle Dress Special, “Dance for Her” Women’s Red Dress Smoke Dance Special, and the Kyle Dowdy, Sr. Memorial War Dance Showdown. Competition winners will be announced on Sunday evening, before the conclusion of the powwow.
Daily admission is $10 for adults, with weekend bracelets available for $15. Admission for students age 5-17 and seniors age 60 and older is just $5 per day or $10 for a weekend bracelet. Veterans and active military personnel (with valid ID) and children age 4 and younger will be admitted free of charge.
Gates open at 10 a.m. each day, with a Veterans Honoring at 11am, and the must-see Dancer Grand Entry at Noon. Complete schedule, online ticket purchase, registration and contest information is available at senecapowwow. org.
The Powwow Committee closes this out the best, saying, “The powwow is a signature event, not only for the Seneca people, but for friends and neighbors locally and across the country who have been a part of our celebration for many years. After waiting for the past two years, we’re thrilled to finally welcome everyone back to the Allegany Territory. Powwow weekend can’t get here fast enough.”