Few things can top the grace, beauty and time-honored traditions that accompany the elegance of the Native American Indian rituals. For three days, patrons visiting the annual Great Mohican Pow-Wow will enjoy many of the traditions that have become part of the Native American Indian culture over the centuries.

The Pow-Wow will take place near Loudonville, July 8-10, at Mohican Reservation Camp & Canoe, and will include custom dancing, colorful ceremonial costumes, the sharing of songs, traditional food, storytelling, hoop dancing, tomahawk throwing and the coming together of Native American tribes to honor ancestors and renew their traditions and heritage.

While many people may have seen tribal rain dances in movies or on television, the Great Mohican Pow-Wow will explore the meaning behind why the Indians dance, and the various rituals and customs which are so meaningful to the American Indian culture, as much today as they were in years, decades and centuries past.

Dancers have always been a very important part of the life of the American Indian. Most dancers seen at the Pow-Wows today are social dances which might have had different meanings in earlier days. Although dance styles and content have changes, their meaning and importance has not. The outfits worn by dancers, like the style of clothing today, evolve over time; it is not a stagnant culture, but a vibrant and changing way of life.

Named one of the top pow-wows in America today, the Great Mohican Pow-Wow is sure to educate as well as entertain visitors, whether they are full-blooded Native American or just simply interested in exploring the many time-honored traditions involved with this colorful and exciting ceremony.

The Pow-Wow begins with the Grand Entry. This is the entry of all the people entering the arena. This originally was a parade through the town where the Pow-Wow was located. Even today in some Pow-Wows, these parades are still held. During the Grand Entry, everyone is asked to stand as the flags are brought into the arena. The flags carried generally include the U.S. flag, tribal flags, POW flag, and eagle staff’s of various tribes present. These are usually carried by veterans. Native Americans hold the U.S. flag in an honored position despite the horrible treatment once received from this country. The flag has a dual meaning. First, it is a way to remember all of the ancestors that fought against this country. It is also a symbol of the U.S., which Native Americans are now a part of. The flag here also reminds people of those who have fought for this country.

Accordingly, celebrations such as this are important to the survival of the cultures that were here long before the modern inhabitants of our nation.

With the Mohican Valley serving as a perfect backdrop to the countless colors woven into the event, the Great Mohican Pow-Wow will magically take patrons to a time gone by, helping many to bridge the gap between the days when American Indians roamed the countryside freely, long before the Pilgrims ever set foot on American soil, to today. Visitors will be mesmerized by the traditions on display at the festival, from the incantations, the drum beats, music and singing of a dozen tribes. Dance competitions throughout the day are sure to be enchanting and captivating as American Indians from the 12 tribes showcase their incredible skills, balance, power and beauty of the Native tribal rituals.

As for the style of dances, there will be as many as there are colors represented. Would you know the difference between a traditional buck skin dance and a jingle dress dance? How about the grass dance and the fancy dance? These and many other dances will be presented during the three-day affair.

One such performance will be a traditional Cherokee hoop dance. Hoop dancing incorporates speed and agility as dancers maneuver their bodies through one or up to more than 50 hoops. Dancers also integrate creative designs and difficult manipulations of the hoops to present a unique variation of the dance.

In addition to the dance activities, patrons will also want to investigate the Woodland Indian Educational Program. The educational program is designed to enlighten the public about various Native American cultures, including pottery, knife making, antler work, quill working, furs, jewelry, wood and bone working, feather working, leather working, basket weaving and more.

During this week’s festivities, patrons can find Maria Jackson’s historical 18th century Native camp. Jackson is an accomplished artisan, and has participated and demonstrated at historical reenactments and Pow-Wows for many years. Jackson’s expertise includes how to sew cattail mats, finger weave belts and straps, and create beaded garters using the heddle loom. 

Who knows, if you’re fortunate enough, you may even be chosen to try your own hand at these craft skills. While presenting her demonstrations, Jackson welcomes questions concerning the decorative arts process, and will be sharing her knowledge of quill work, loom work, finger weaving, and more.

Artisans and crafts people will share their wares, which will include pottery, knife making, antler work, quill work, furs, jewelry, wood and bone work, feather work, leather work, basket weavings, paintings and more. Various demonstrations, displays and speeches will be held continuously throughout each day at the south end of Pow-Wow grounds.

This is an educational opportunity that is not to be missed, as it exemplifies a huge part of America’s history.

Pow-Wow tickets can also be purchased online or the day of the event. For complete information or directions, phone 800-766-CAMP (2267) or visit them on the Web at: http://www.mohicanpowwow.com/