Powwows: Celebrating the culture and community of Indigenous people [Video]

Raleigh, NC — Though the Dix Park Inter-Tribal Powwow didn’t happen in 2024, its impact and importance continue to resonate, particularly during National Native American Heritage Month. The event serves as a day of competition dancing, traditional music, and cultural celebration in Raleigh. Powwows seek to bring together Indigenous communities and supporters from across North Carolina and beyond.

“We’re here representing the Triangle Native American Society, which serves the large Native population in this area,” said Jesalyn Keziah, the organization’s executive director. “We have participants from all eight state and federally recognized tribes in North Carolina, urban Indian organizations, and friends from across the country.”

The event highlighted the rich legacy of North Carolina’s Native tribes, including the Lumbee, Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Waccamaw Siouan, Sappony, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Meherrin, and the Cherokee. Four urban Indian organizations also participated.

Jayla Locklear, a member of the Lumbee tribe and former Miss Indian North …