If you are going to be near Winnebago, Nebraska for your Nebraska vacation in July you may want to schedule time to be at the Ho-Chunk Nation Pow-Wow. This colorful pow wow has thousands of native American dancers and musicians performing a fabulous celebration for the last five nights of July on an annual basis. It will be a wonderful way to see the most colorful and intricate native clothing that anyone will ever see, one of my favorite Nebraska attractions.

The Winnebago Indians were first from Wisconsin but around the 19th century the United States Government took the land they lived on so they forced them to relocate. It wasn’t just a one time move, it was repeated over and over. They were first moved to Iowa, then off to Minnesota and then moved to South Dakota where they were held captive in stockades until they managed to escape. They finally settled in Nebraska where they were allowed to stay. Many of the tribes moved back to Wisconsin but the majority of them remained in Nebraska. Many now live on a reservation (some of them) that is their own land.

The powwow is a celebration remembering Little Priest who was the last tribal chief. He not only was the chief of the tribe but also served in the United States military. Because of his service in the military he received a life ending wound and died in 1866. Today the powwow not only honors him but also all the Winnebago Indian veterans of war. The chief, Little Priest, believed in peace among the people, he forgave the treatment the Indians had experienced from the government. He supported positive relationships between themselves, the settlers and the soldiers.

The Winnebago Powwow is the oldest Pow Wow in the United States. It is a way to renew friendships, respect the heritage and the traditional ways and appreciate the fact that they can all gather together to enjoy the dance and art of their heritage. It has been held on an annual basis since 1866.

Guests are welcome to come and apprecaite the festival. Observe the dance, apprecaite the music and partake in the food. If you have not had fry bread before be sure to try it, it’s wonderful.

The pow wow is held at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 1 1/4 miles east of Winnebago, Nebraska on US Hwy 75. Attend and experience the pow wow, even if you can only attend for one day it will be an experience you will treasure from your Nebraska Travel Guide.