United Houma Nation Powwow Has New Presentations
From the United Houma Nation
NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The United Houma Nation will present its “14th Annual Celebrating Abilities/Disabilities Powwow,” a gathering of citizens from various Native nations for traditional dance competitions, in Houma, June 27 and 28.
The 14th annual powwow will take place at the Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center, located at 346 Civic Center Dr. Organizers expect to attract at least 7,500 attendees who will watch more than 100 Native dancers compete for cash prizes. Dance categories include seniors, men, women and youth.
Arts & crafts vendors will sell Native jewelry, apparel and artwork.
Traditional Native dishes, such as Fry Bread, Indian Tacos, and Corn Maque Choux, will also be available for purchase. Regular concessions will be on sale in the civic center’s lobby. Admission to the powwow is free and open to the public. No alcohol, drugs or pets are allowed.
New United Houma Powwow Events
This year’s powwow theme is mental health awareness. Local health and wellness agencies will provide free mental health information and resources to attendees.
The powwow will also introduce the Houma Cultural Preservation Meeting Room and Stage, a dedicated space designed to honor, protect and share United Houma Nation culture with the public. This space will feature:
- Traditional Houma basket makers demonstrating zig-zag and half-hitch palmetto basketry
- Net makers and carvers exhibiting ancestral techniques and artistry
- Cultural presenters sharing United Houma Nation history, language revitalization efforts and traditional foodways
- Educational sessions highlighting intergenerational knowledge transfer and living traditions
- Community resource presentations for people with disabilities
“This addition expands the powwow beyond performance into hands-on cultural education, ensuring that Houma traditions, language and artistry are preserved and shared with future generations,” says Powwow Committee Chairman Jared Crosby.
The powwow is presented by the United Houma Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Program, which provides employment services for United Houma Nation and the Chitimacha Tribe’s citizens who live with disabilities. Grant funding for the powwow is provided by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, Explore Houma, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Louisiana Seafood Board.
For more information on the 14th Annual United Houma Nation Celebrating Abilities/Disabilities Powwow, call (985) 223-3093, e-mail powwow@unitedhoumanation.org or visit www.facebook.com/houmaspowwow.
