43rd annual Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Powwow planned

ONAMIA - American Indian dancers from across the country will participate in traditional dances and drum ceremonies during the 43rd annual Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Powwow Aug. 14-16 on the band's powwow grounds located two miles north of Grand Casino Mille Lacs.

The event is free and open to the public.

Before each day's dances, there is a Grand Entry, in which the dancers dressed in brightly colored regalia proceed onto the powwow grounds for an opening ceremony. The Grand Entry times are:

• 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14.

• 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15.

• 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16.

Along with the powwow, the event will include princess and brave contests; food; crafts; raffle drawings; adult and youth horseshoe tournaments; a parade at 11 a.m. Aug. 15; and a fun run sponsored by the Mille Lacs Indian Museum on 9 a.m. Aug. 16. All events will take place at the powwow grounds.

The Iskigamizigan Powwow Grounds are located 12 miles north of Onamia - or two miles north of Grand Casino Mille Lacs - on Highway 169. Watch for the powwow signs near the site. Free camping, campfire wood, and showers will be available for visitors. Security and medical staff will be at the event. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited.

For more information, contact Mary Jo Jennings at (320) 532-5944 or Freedom Porter at (320) 532-7496. For vendor information, contact Robert Thompson at (320) 532-7841.

Powwows are American Indian celebrations of ceremonial and social dance traditions. They take place on reservations and in other locations throughout the country and include singing, dancing, drumming and more. There are contest powwows, where dancers compete against each other in style and appearance and there are traditional powwows, where participants take part for social enjoyment. The upcoming Mille Lacs Band powwow is a traditional powwow.