43 Vibrant Photos from the Meswaki Pow Wow

43 Vibrant Photos from the Meswaki Pow Wow

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

We just had to share more photos from the 100th annual Meskwaki Powwow! 100 years is a big deal! PowWows.com reader Charles “Rain” Black photographed the event and was kind enough to share his photos and words with us.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

It's intended to celebrate the Proclamation which allowed the Meskwaki Nation to purchase land and return to Iowa, as well as educate people about Meskwaki culture and history through demonstration of many Meskwaki dances. It lasts for four days early in each August, with a variety of special events and demonstrations going on each day, so repeat visitors can always see something new in addition to the regular dances.

Normally the only dancers are Meskwaki and those given special invitation (except during the intertribal of course). The Meskwaki powwow isn't normally a competition powwow, but this year in celebration of the 100th anniversary they had “specials” in which dancers of all ages were invited to compete for prize money. This further encouraged participation by the youth. The Meskwaki people take great pride in the degree to which young people are learning and maintaining their language, culture and traditions. A great deal of emphasis is put on getting young people to participate, which leads to having more youth dancing than adults.

Usually the powwow is held on the traditional grounds, a field of lush grass surrounded by trees. However, rains had led to issues with soft ground and the potential of a lot of mud and mild flooding, so it was moved to an arena behind the casino.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA



OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Beautiful Charles, thank you so much for sharing with us! For more great photography make sure you visit his website Eye Guess Photography.

About Toyacoyah Brown

Toyacoyah Brown is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, currently living in Chicago. She received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.A. in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. When she's not scouring the Internet for fun things to share with PowWows.com readers you can find her digging for vinyl in her local record store or curling up with a good book.


One Comment “43 Vibrant Photos from the Meswaki Pow Wow”

  • Avatar for Pauline

    Pauline

    says:

    Thank you so much for taking and sharing the photographs of this Pow Wow. They are beautiful as are the subjects.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Find a Pow Wow
Near you

Search the US & Canada

What to expect
at your first Pow Wow

Sign Up for our Free E-newsletter