The Potawatomi Annual Reunion Festival held second Saturday of every October marks a significant date on the calendar of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation (CPN). Held annually at Raymond Peltier Park, located at 1702 S Gordon Cooper Drive in Shawnee, Oklahoma, the event serves as a vibrant celebration of Potawatomi culture, heritage, and community. More than just a gathering, it’s a deliberate effort to foster a sense of belonging and reinvigorate cultural identity amongst tribal members. This article delves into the history, evolution, and significance of this cherished festival.
A Pow-wow’s Transformation: From Competition to Community
The story of the Potawatomi Annual Reunion Festival held second Saturday of every October begins in 1972 with the inception of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s pow-wows. These early gatherings were conceived with the noble goal of nurturing a stronger cultural identity within the Citizen Potawatomi community and encouraging members to participate in pow-wow dancing with pride.
For over a quarter of a century, the CPN hosted what became renowned as one of the premier intertribal competition pow-wows in the nation. These grand events, spanning three or even four days, were held during the last full weekend of June. Despite the often sweltering heat and humidity, they drew large crowds of dancers and spectators alike. Multiple drum groups provided the pulsating rhythm, and hundreds of dancers, adorned in their elaborate regalia, journeyed from across the United States and Canada to compete for substantial prize money.
These pow-wows evolved into a major event on the "pow-wow highway," a network of pow-wows across Indian Country where professional dancers competed for prize money. The CPN pow-wow, with its lucrative purses often exceeding $50,000, became a highly sought-after destination for these seasoned competitors, many of whom relied on their winnings to support their families.
The Paradox of Success: A Growing Disconnect
While the CPN took pride in the success and popularity of its pow-wow, an unintended consequence began to emerge. Over time, the event, originally intended to serve the Citizen Potawatomi people, increasingly catered to outside competitors. The competitive nature of the pow-wow created a barrier for Potawatomi dancers, many of whom felt intimidated by the highly skilled and experienced professionals who dominated the dance circle.
The statistics spoke volumes. In the final year of the intertribal competition pow-wow, only a single Potawatomi dancer dared to compete against the seasoned professionals. This disparity highlighted the growing disconnect between the pow-wow and its intended audience.
Observing from the grandstands, Citizen Potawatomi tribal members felt a sense of disillusionment. Despite the spectacle and vibrant displays, they sensed a crucial element was missing – a feeling of belonging, a sense of welcome in their own community celebration. The competitive atmosphere and the emphasis on prize money had inadvertently created an environment that excluded many tribal members.
A Courageous Shift: Reclaiming Cultural Identity
Faced with dwindling attendance from tribal members and escalating budgets, the CPN administration recognized the need for a fundamental change. In 1999, a bold and, at the time, controversial decision was made: the competition pow-wow would be replaced by a Reunion Festival specifically tailored to the Citizen Potawatomi tribal members.
The new format prioritized family-oriented events and activities. While prize money was significantly reduced, a wider range of events were introduced, catering to diverse interests. Responding to requests from tribal elders, a Country-Western Dance was incorporated into the program on Friday nights. Crucially, attendance was restricted to Citizen Potawatomi tribal members.
A Leap of Faith: Embracing Tradition
Initially, the transition was met with skepticism and even resistance. Some hardcore pow-wow enthusiasts openly doubted the success of the new format. In the early stages, the number of Potawatomi traditional dancers participating was limited, resulting in a sparse Grand Entry.
However, a pivotal moment arrived when the pow-wow MC, Tim Tallchief, extended an invitation to everyone in the grandstands to participate in an intertribal dance, a non-competitive dance open to all. Recognizing that tradition dictated that women wear shawls to enter the dance circle, the organizers had prepared for this moment. Boxes filled with shawls for women and sashes for men were made readily available.
To the delight of everyone, the invitation was enthusiastically embraced. People lined up, donned the shawls and sashes, and stepped onto the dance circle, many for the very first time. That evening in 1999, a record number of Citizen Potawatomi dancers participated, breathing new life into the tradition.
A Resounding Success: Rekindling the Flame
Year after year, the Reunion Festival has grown in popularity and significance. More and more Citizen Potawatomi tribal members have committed time and effort to learning and practicing traditional dances. Today, on Saturday nights, when the festival dedicates time to traditional dancing, the dance circle overflows with Citizen Potawatomi dancers adorned in full regalia.
The Potawatomi Annual Reunion Festival held second Saturday of every October is undeniably a resounding success. It has achieved its original objective: to reawaken a sense of tradition and belonging within the Citizen Potawatomi community.
Reintroducing the Intertribal Pow-wow: A Balanced Approach
While the transition to the Reunion Festival was widely considered a positive step, the CPN administration recognized that it had inadvertently excluded non-Potawatomi friends and neighbors. In 2003, after the Reunion Festival had firmly established itself, the decision was made to reintroduce the intertribal competition pow-wow, but with key modifications designed to avoid the pitfalls of the past.
The revamped pow-wow would be a one-day event, running from noon to midnight, held annually on the second Saturday of October – a time when the weather is cooler and more conducive to dancing. Prize money was carefully calibrated to attract talented dancers without overshadowing the participation of Potawatomi dancers who were still learning. Furthermore, concerted efforts were made to encourage Potawatomi dancers and drum groups to attend.
The revitalized CPN Intertribal Pow-wow debuted on October 11, 2003, to widespread acclaim. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, attracting a diverse array of vendors and dancers. Even when rain disrupted the afternoon meal break, the spirit remained unbroken as attendees simply moved their chairs into the Round House and continued dancing.
The Potawatomi Annual Reunion Festival held second Saturday of every October Today
The Potawatomi Annual Reunion Festival held second Saturday of every October continues to be a cherished and important event for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. It represents a commitment to preserving and celebrating cultural heritage, fostering community bonds, and welcoming both tribal members and friends to participate in the rich traditions of the Potawatomi people. It stands as a testament to the power of community and the enduring strength of cultural identity.
Contact Information
For further information about the Potawatomi Annual Reunion Festival held second Saturday of every October, please contact Zack Morris, Departmental Assistant, at zmorris@potawatomi.org.