Welcome to the 2026 Explore Native Challenge!
This is our biggest giveaway of the year, and it’s back for Native American Heritage Month. From November 1 through December 31, 2026, I’m inviting you to explore Native culture with us, one day at a time. And while you do, you can win some amazing Native-designed prizes from our sponsor, Eighth Generation.
I’ve been running PowWows.com since 1996, and every November I hear the same question: “How can I learn more about Native culture and celebrate Heritage Month the right way?” The Explore Native Challenge is my answer. It’s a fun, easy way to discover something new every day: history you weren’t taught in school, the stories behind the dances, the food, the music, the art and the people who keep it all alive.
Scroll down to see this year’s prizes, learn how the challenge works, and grab your first entry. Good luck, and have fun exploring!
What Is the Explore Native Challenge?
The Explore Native Challenge is a two-month giveaway and learning adventure. When you enter, you’ll get a daily email from me with something new to explore. One day it might be the true history of Thanksgiving. The next it might be the story behind the jingle dress, a fry bread recipe, a craft tutorial or a list of Native authors you should be reading.
Along the way, I hide bonus codes throughout PowWows.com. Each one you find and enter earns you extra chances to win. The more you explore, the more entries you get. It’s that simple.
The goal is to have fun, learn something new, and come away with a deeper respect for Native cultures and the people who carry them forward. Winning a beautiful blanket doesn’t hurt either!
Key Dates
- Challenge opens: Sunday, November 1, 2026
- Native American Heritage Month: all of November
- Challenge closes: Thursday, December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Winners announced: early January 2027
That’s 61 days of discovery, and 61 days to rack up entries.
How to Enter
Getting started takes less than a minute:
- Fill out the entry form below. That’s your first entry, and it signs you up for the daily Explore Native emails.
- Complete the bonus actions on the form. Visit pages, follow us and answer a few quick questions for more entries.
- Read your daily email. Each one sends you somewhere new on PowWows.com.
- Find the hidden bonus codes. They’re tucked inside articles across the site. When you find one, come back to this page and enter it.
- Come back often. The more codes you find, the more chances you have to win.
Tip: Bookmark this page! You’ll be coming back here a lot to enter your codes. You can always find it at powwows.com/win.
How the Bonus Codes Work
This is my favorite part of the challenge. Most days, the daily email points you to a story on PowWows.com, and a bonus code is hidden somewhere inside that article. Read through, find the code, and enter it on this page for extra entries.
A few things to know:
- Codes are hidden in the articles, not the emails. You’ll have to do a little exploring to find them. That’s the whole point!
- Some days are freebies. Every so often, I’ll put a code right in the email as a thank-you. Keep an eye out for subject lines that mention bonus codes.
- Missed a day? No problem. The codes stay hidden in the articles for the whole challenge, so you can always go back and catch up.
- Codes also show up in other places: our social media, our live streams and the Pow Wow Life podcast. Follow along so you don’t miss them.
- Each code can only be entered once per person.
Instant Win: Spin to Win
Keep your eyes open for surprise Spin to Win games during the challenge, including our Black Friday Spin to Win. These pop up without much warning, and you can win prizes on the spot. Follow along on social media and watch your inbox so you don’t miss them.
This Year’s Prizes
I’m so excited about this year’s lineup. Every prize comes from Eighth Generation, and every one is designed by a Native artist. These aren’t “Native-inspired” knockoffs. They’re the real thing, and buying from Eighth Generation puts money directly in the hands of Native artists.
- Grand Prize: Faith Wool Blanket by Bethany Yellowtail (Northern Cheyenne and Crow), $280 value
- Camas Bloom Throw Blanket by Taylor Cameron (Snoqualmie), $105 value
- After the Rain Notebook by Michelle Lowden (Acoma Pueblo), $22 value
- Blue Huckleberry Enamel Pin by Stirling MacArthur (Snoqualmie), $17 value
- Coast Salish Pattern Pen by Louie Gong (Nooksack), $10 value
- 5 – Pow Wow Puzzle Books from PowWows.com
Grand Prize: Faith Wool Blanket by Bethany Yellowtail
Our grand prize is the stunning Faith wool blanket, designed by Bethany Yellowtail (Northern Cheyenne and Crow). The design comes from her Apsáalooke (Crow) name, Ammaakeealaachelibaachiilakaacheesh, which means “Overcomes through Faith.” Crow elder David Yarlott Sr. gave her that name as a child, with the wish that she be guided, protected and connected to prayer.
The soft pinks, blues and greens reflect the Apsáalooke homelands where Bethany grew up. The blanket is meant to offer love and protection, and to remind you to keep faith during hard times.
- 100% New Zealand wool pile with a microsuede edge
- Two-sided design
- About 59″ x 78″, big enough to cover the top of a queen bed
- Retail value: $280
See the Faith blanket at Eighth Generation →
Camas Bloom Throw Blanket by Taylor Cameron
Snoqualmie artist Taylor Cameron designed this throw around the camas plant, a sacred, ceremonial food for many Pacific Northwest peoples, including the Snoqualmie. The center shows four camas bulbs blooming into purple flowers, surrounded by sage green leaves.
For Salish tribes, camas is a symbol of balance with the natural world. Communities have harvested it carefully for generations so it keeps growing for those who come next. Taylor says learning the traditional ways of harvesting, replanting and caring for camas has been meaningful to her. It’s a plant that feeds pollinators, wildlife and people, and one worth protecting.
- Soft 100% cotton jacquard weave with custom-dyed yarns
- Light lilac, sage blue, soft brown and ivory
- 60″ x 50″, fringed on two sides
- Machine washable
- Retail value: $105
See the Camas Bloom throw at Eighth Generation →
After the Rain Notebook by Michelle Lowden
Acoma Pueblo artist Michelle Lowden designed this notebook to honor the role rain plays in her community. The artwork draws on the kilts worn during traditional Pueblo dances, which are performed in prayer for summer rains so newly planted seeds can sprout. On the cover, a thunderbolt pattern sends rain over the flowers below, which bloom and flourish.
“The designs on this notebook reflect the importance of rain to us,” Michelle says.
- Hard cover with spiral binding
- 100 sheets of wide-ruled paper
- 8.75″ x 11.5″
- Retail value: $22
See the notebook at Eighth Generation
Blue Huckleberry Enamel Pin by Stirling MacArthur
This sparkling deep blue pin celebrates the wild huckleberries of the Pacific Northwest. Snoqualmie artist Stirling MacArthur designed it to capture the joy of huckleberry season. For generations, the Snoqualmie people have used huckleberries as a natural dye, in jams and as a sweet treat. Stirling calls them “the best that the berry world has to offer.”
The pin is part of Eighth Generation’s Souvenirs of Summer collection, six pieces inspired by summer in Snoqualmie country.
- Enamel pin
- Retail value: $17
See the Blue Huckleberry pin at Eighth Generation
Coast Salish Pattern Pen by Louie Gong
Eighth Generation founder Louie Gong (Nooksack) designed this pen’s pattern after studying traditional Coast Salish weaving. He made sure the design could actually be woven using traditional methods, a nice nod to the weavers who came before. It’s a black ink rollerball pen with gold metallic accents, and it comes in a black gift box.
- Refillable black ink rollerball
- Gold metallic accents and matching cap
- Gift box included
- Retail value: $10
See the Coast Salish pen at Eighth Generation
Prize Unboxing Video
Enter the 2026 Explore Native Challenge
Ready? Fill out the form below to get your first entry and start your daily Explore Native emails. Then come back here every time you find a bonus code.
Open to residents of the United States, 18 and older. See the official rules below.
About Our Sponsor: Eighth Generation
I couldn’t be prouder to partner with Eighth Generation again this year.
Eighth Generation is a Seattle-based art and lifestyle company owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe. Founded by artist Louie Gong (Nooksack), it was the first Native-owned company to produce wool blankets. Today it sells blankets, scarves, jewelry, art and gifts designed by Native artists from across North America. You can shop online or visit their flagship store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market.
Their motto says it best: “Inspired Nativesâ„¢, not Native-inspired.”
Walk into almost any big store and you’ll find “Native-inspired” blankets, jewelry and home decor. Very little of it is actually designed or made by Native people, and the artists whose cultures inspired those designs usually see nothing from the sale. Eighth Generation flips that. Through their Inspired Natives® Project, they partner with Native artists, pay them fairly, and put their names and stories front and center. Their Gold Label blankets and scarves are made right in their Seattle studio.
When you buy from Eighth Generation, you’re supporting Native artists directly. It’s one of the best ways I know to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, and it makes for great holiday gifts too.
Meet the Artists Behind This Year’s Prizes
One of the things I love about this year’s prizes is that each one tells a story. Here’s a little more about the artists:
- Bethany Yellowtail (Northern Cheyenne and Crow) is a fashion designer whose work celebrates her Apsáalooke and Northern Cheyenne roots. Her Faith blanket carries her Crow name and the prayers of her family.
- Taylor Cameron (Snoqualmie) designed the Camas Bloom throw to honor a sacred plant and the traditional ways of caring for it.
- Michelle Lowden (Acoma Pueblo) lives and works at the Pueblo of Acoma in New Mexico. Her designs reflect the importance of rain to Pueblo communities.
- Stirling MacArthur (Snoqualmie) created the Blue Huckleberry pin to celebrate a beloved summer berry of the Pacific Northwest.
- Louie Gong (Nooksack) is the artist and founder behind Eighth Generation and the Inspired Natives® Project.
What You’ll Explore During the Challenge
Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topics coming your way in the daily emails. If you want a head start, these are great places to begin, and you never know where a bonus code might be hiding!
Native History You Weren’t Taught in School
Most of us learned a few names, a few dates and the Thanksgiving story, and not much else. During the challenge, we’ll dig into the real history. Start with 5 Native American history facts that will change how you see this country, then check out 10 of the most important dates in Native American history.
Your First Pow Wow
Never been to a pow wow? You’re in for a treat. Our Pow Wow 101 FAQ answers all the questions first-timers have. Then read up on pow wow etiquette and what to bring to a pow wow so you can walk in feeling confident. When you’re ready, find one near you on our pow wow calendar by state.
Dances, Music and Regalia
Every dance has a story. Learn about the jingle dress dance, the chicken dance and the round dance. Then turn up the volume with Native American flutes and drums.
Native Food
Get cooking with our 25 favorite Native American recipes, learn the story behind fry bread, and find Native-owned restaurants across North America.
Ancestry and Identity
“My grandmother always said we had Native blood.” I hear this every day! If you’re researching your family tree, start with Am I Native American? How to find your Indian ancestors, then learn the difference between DNA results, tribal enrollment and a CDIB card.
Crafts and Art
Want to try your hand at something new? Make a dream catcher, a beaded rosette medallion or your own hand drum. And learn about the rich history of Native beadwork.
People You Should Know
Meet 20 Native American women you should know and 10 Native comedians who will make you laugh. And find out 10 things Native Americans wish everyone else knew.
Ways to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the cultures, traditions and contributions of Native peoples. Taking the Explore Native Challenge is a great start, but here are a few more ideas:
- Learn whose land you live on. Every place in North America has a Native history. Start with the biggest tribe in every state.
- Read a book by a Native author. Join our Native American Book Club for reading picks.
- Buy Native-made. Shop Eighth Generation and see our favorite places to shop for Native products.
- Visit a Native museum. Here are 10 of the best Native American museums in the United States.
- Go to a pow wow. Most are open to the public. Find one on our pow wow calendar.
- Watch one live. Can’t make it in person? We stream pow wows from across North America at powwows.com/live.
- Teach the kids. Our lesson plans and learning activities work at home or in the classroom.
Keep Exploring After the Challenge
The challenge ends December 31, but the learning doesn’t have to. Here are a few ways to stay connected:
- Pow wow updates for your state: get an email when pow wows are happening near you.
- This Week in Native History: a free 5-day email series with one true story from Native history every day.
- This Week in Native History weekly: one email a week with the real events, people and turning points that shaped Indian Country. Just $5 a month.
- Trace your Native ancestry: a free step-by-step email guide to researching your roots.
- The Circle: our free online community for people who love pow wows and Native culture.
- The 2026 Pow Wow Guide: everything you need to know about pow wows in one place, in digital or print.
- Pow Wow Calendar eBook: 12 months of pow wows by month and state, updated every month.
- The PowWows.com shop: hoodies, tees, the Pow Wow Puzzle Book and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enter?
The Explore Native Challenge is open to residents of the United States who are 18 or older.
Does it cost anything to enter?
No! Entering is completely free, and no purchase is necessary.
How many times can I enter?
You can enter the form once, but you can earn lots of extra entries by completing the bonus actions on the form and finding the hidden bonus codes. Each bonus code can be used once.
Where do I find the bonus codes?
Most are hidden inside articles on PowWows.com. Your daily email will point you to the right article. Some codes also show up on social media, our live streams and the Pow Wow Life podcast, and once in a while I’ll put one right in the email.
I missed a few days of emails. Can I still find those codes?
Yes. The codes stay in the articles until the challenge ends on December 31, so you can go back and catch up anytime.
I’m not getting the daily emails. What should I do?
Check your spam, junk or promotions folder first. To make sure the emails land in your inbox, add newsletter@powwows.com to your contacts. If you still can’t find them, reach out and I’ll help.
Do I have to be Native to enter?
Not at all! The Explore Native Challenge is for everyone who wants to learn more about Native culture, whether you’re Native and want to explore other nations’ traditions or you’re just getting started.
How are winners chosen?
Winners are chosen at random from all eligible entries after the challenge closes on December 31, 2026. The more entries you have, the better your chances.
How will I know if I won?
I’ll email winners at the address used to enter, and announce them on this page. Winners will have a set amount of time to respond before a new winner is chosen.
Thank you for exploring with us, and good luck! I can’t wait to see how many bonus codes you find.
Paul G
PowWows.com
◆ YOU FOUND A BONUS CODE! ◆
2026 Explore Native Challenge
3558779
Enter this code on the giveaway page for extra chances to win Native-designed prizes from Eighth Generation.
Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Paul G
