Dix Park Inter-Tribal Pow Wow

Dancers in the arena at the Inaugural Dix Park Inter Tribal Pow Wow 2021

Saturday, May 18, 2024

11:30 am - 6:30 pm  |  Harvey Hill  at Dix Park

Hosted in partnership with indigenous community organizers, Dix Park Conservancy and City of Raleigh.

Experience a day of competition dancing, music, vendors, and fun showcasing the incredible legacy and culture of Indigenous communities living in North Carolina today.

RSVP ON FACEBOOK

RSVPs help us plan for the number of attendees and you will be in the know of event updates and weather alerts.  

Dancer at the Dix Park Pow Wow 2021

Weekend Events

Presented in partnership with North Carolina Museum of Art

Dance and Regalia Showcase

Friday, May 17  |  6:00 pm - 8 :00 pm
NCMA West Building Lobby

Experience an educational Native American cultural showcase highlighting vibrant and diverse traditional dances, embellished with colorful regalia representing North Carolina's Native American Tribes. Accompanied by rhythmic drumming, join us to witness an intimate moment of learning about the rich stories, spiritual connections, and celebration of indigenous heritage on the eve of the 4th Annual Dix Park Pow Wow.

Free to attend. Registration is required.

To Take Shape and Meaning Community Day

Sunday, May 19  |  10:00 am - 5:00 pm
NCMA East Building 

Enjoy free access to the exhibition To Take Shape and Meaning during community day! Get up close with works of art and artists, plus create your own art inspired by the work of Rose B. Simpson with a special hands-on project. Special guests include The Cypress Society Singers and Dancers with a performance at 1:00 pm and storyteller Ryan Dial presenting stories, traditional flute and in-gallery conversations throughout the day.

Free to attend.

Dix Park Inter-Tribal Pow Wow 2024

Dix Park Inter-Tribal Pow Wow youth dancers 2022

Head Dancers

Nakya Leviner & Stevie Leviner

Host Drums

Smokey River

Special Performance

Mack Mckinney & Co

Head Staff

Arena Directors: John Oxendine & Reggie Brewer
Tabulators: Gwen Richardson & LaDonna Richardson
Emcees: Sandon Jacobs & Sharon Harris Berrun

 

Competition Details

Tribal Citizens and Native Dancers & Drummers from across the state are invited  to sign up for the competitions.

On-site Registration: 9:00 - 11:30 am

Prizes awarded by the Dix Park Conservancy

Dance Competition

Adult (18+), Teen (ages 13-17), Junior (ages 5-12), Tiny Tots (ages 0-4) 

Men's Adult/Teen/Junior

  • Grass
  • Traditional
  • Fancy

Women's Adult/Teen/Junior

  • Jingle
  • Traditional (Northern/Southern)
  • Fancy

Golden Age Men's & Women's

  • All dance styles

Tiny Tots

  • Young Native children and toddlers are welcome to dance freely

Adult & Golden Age

1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $300
3rd Place: $200

Teen

1st Place: $250
2nd Place: $150
3rd Place: $100

Junior

1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50

Drum Competition

1st Place: $800
2nd Place: $600
3rd Place: $400
4th Place: $200

 

Schedule Coming Soon...

 

2024 Vendors

2024 Pow Wow vendor applications are closed

Inter-Tribal Pow Wow Sponsors

Know Before You Go

  • Please come prepared for the weather and be mindful of staying hydrated and protected from the sun. 
  • Walking will be necessary in and around the event area. Please note, portions of the event have uneven surfaces. 
  • Indoor restrooms are available at the Stone Houses and at the Chapel from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Additional portable restrooms are on-site, too. 
  • Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome, but please use your best judgement to determine if your pooch will enjoy the crowd and noise.
  • If there is inclement weather, the event will be canceled and we will post alerts on social media and dixpark.org.

What to Bring

  • Sunscreen, hats and a re-fillable water bottle
  • Bug spray and wear closed-toe shoes
  • Camp chairs and blankets
  • Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed

 

Getting There + Parking

Driving

  • Via Western Boulevard: Enter at S. Boylan Avenue or Hunt Drive
  • Via Centennial Parkway: Enter at Blair Drive

Parking

  • Follow event signs

  • See map below for recommended event parking.

Biking or Walking

  • Via Rocky Branch Greenway: Enter at S. Boylan Avenue
  • Via Centennial Bikeway Connector: Enter at Blair Drive

 

Accessibility

Dix Park continues to strive to be accessible and welcoming for visitors, including those with disabilities. Currently, portions of Dix Park, including some areas where programs and events occur, have uneven surfaces and are not fully accessible. Accessibility is a primary focus for early park improvements and all future planning and development.

Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available in all lots.

Restrooms: Indoor accessible restrooms are available at the Stone Houses and the Chapel. Accessible port-a-johns are located at the Big Field and Flowers Field. 

Programs and events: Raleigh Parks Inclusion Services works with community members to support participation. To request a program modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please complete and submit the Accommodation Request Form or contact Inclusion Services staff at 919-996-2147 or ParksInclusion@raleighnc.gov.

 

Questions?

Contact Dix Park Staff at 919-996-3255 or events@dixpark.org

Pow Wow Planning Committee

Dix Park Conservancy, Triangle Native American Society and other Native leaders chose representatives from tribes in North Carolina, and staff with the NC Museum of History to plan the first Inter-Tribal Pow Wow at Dorothea Dix Park. Meet the faces behind the event:

Christina Strickland Theodorou

Christina Strickland Theodorou
Lumbee Tribe

Christina Strickland Theodorou has worked in tribal leadership development and an advocate of generating equity, parity and balance for indigenous communities. A graduate of UNC-Pembroke, Christina has 15 years’ experience working in tribal affairs on state, university and federal levels. While attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Theodorou led efforts as one of the founders of Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, an American Indian women’s organization geared at helping with retention efforts of native female students, and supporting the professional development of native women nationally. 
 

Sandon Jacobs

Sandon Jacobs
Waccamaw-Siouan

Sandon is an enrolled member of the Waccamaw-Siouan Tribe of NC from the Buckhead Community. After graduating from UNC Pembroke in 1999, he moved to the Triangle to begin his career in software development. Sandon lives in North Raleigh with his wife (Brandi) and their daughters (Kaylee and Kaydon). He had the privilege of visiting Native communities throughout the US and Canada as a powwow singer and MC for the past 30 years.

Dana L. Chavis

Dana L. Chavis
Lumbee Tribe

Dana is a native of Raeford, NC, but graduated from NCSSM in Durham, NC. She obtained her undergraduate degree in History from Duke University and her Master of Public Administration from UNC-Pembroke. In May 2020, she graduated cum laude with her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. After successfully passing the NC Bar exam in July 2020, she was admitted to the North Carolina State Bar in the Fall of 2020. She is employed at SECU as Staff Counsel.  Dana is the proud mother of two adult daughters, Aubrey and Arielle, who are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation. Since childhood, she has attended pow-wows and love the feeling of family and community that is experienced every time she hears the drum and see the dancers. It is an experience that she cannot wait to share with every person who attends this pow-wow.
 

Olivia Richardson

Olivia Richardson
Haliwa-Saponi Tribe

Olivia Richardson is a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe of Hollister, NC. She received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration, with a concentration in Accounting, and her Masters in Accounting from East Carolina University of Greenville, NC. She currently lives in Raleigh, NC and works as a Senior Accountant for Southern Industrial Constructors, Inc. Olivia has traveled the powwow trail since a very young age. She has been a jingle dancer her entire life. Her passion for this dance comes directly from its meaning -- healing. One of her most memorable life moments was being crowned Miss Indian North Carolina 2013-2014, having the honor and privilege of representing all Natives of North Carolina. 
 

Joshua L. Richardson

Joshua L. Richardson
Haliwa-Saponi Tribe

Joshua is from Hollister, North Carolina, and a citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian tribe. Joshua received his Juris Doctorate with highest honors from North Carolina Central University School of Law. While in law school, he assisted his colleagues in reactivating the Native American Law Students Association and hosted the inaugural Soaring Eagle Powwow on NCCU’s Campus. He is currently an associate attorney for Buckley LLP, and he serves as an ex officio member of the NC Commission of Indian Affairs as the NC Native American Council on Higher Education (NCNACOHE) Representative. 
 

Trey Roberts

Trey Roberts
Haliwa-Saponi Tribe

Trey is from Hollister, NC and is part of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe. He graduated with a BA in Communications from William Peace University and currently resides in Raleigh, NC. Trey is currently the Community Engagement Manager for the Dix Park Conservancy. He is very proud to be able to work alongside the City of Raleigh and the planning committee to bring the first pow wow to Dix Park, contribute to the fabric of his culture, and honor the use of the land in pre-colonial Raleigh.