The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska wants to welcome you to the 30th Annual Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Powwow!
Location:
The Powwow grounds are located one mile West of Niobrara on Highway 12. Turn left at the Ponca sign across from the Niobrara State Park. Follow the pavement to the Powwow Grounds.
Parking:
Once you’ve arrived at the grounds, please pay attention to all directions posted and volunteers for parking, camping, vendors, restrooms, hand washing stations, cooling stations, first aid, emergency services, and trash.
There are designated parking spaces for Elder/Handicap, Employees, Vendors, Volunteers, and General attendees which are labeled accordingly on the Powwow map, which can be found below.
Camping:
Please refer to posted signage, volunteers, and the Powwow Grounds Map for tent and RV camping locations. Note: this year the tent camping locations have no outlet access and the RV camping has limited hookups.
All camping locations are first-come, first-served and designated for specific locations. Please plan accordingly and plan to come to the grounds early to secure a spot.
See safety information below for details on campfire regulations.
2024 Powwow Map
Please refer to the 2024 Powwow Map for parking, camping, and restroom locations. Map will also be posted on-site.
Click here to see the 2024 Powwow Booklet
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
for the Annual Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Powwow, August 8-11 in Niobrara, NE! 2-3-hour shifts leave plenty of time to enjoy Powwow with friends and family. We are still seeking volunteers for various positions, including parking directions, meal help, and other event staff. Sign up at Powwow, or online here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845A4A62EABFF2-50213803-tribal#/. All volunteers must sign a release form upon checking with the Powwow Committee.
On behalf of the Powwow Committee, we thank you for your participation!
Princess Competition
This year we’re offering registration for the Princess Competition online! Click here to register: https://poncatribeofne.formstack.com/forms/princess_pre_registration. Registration will be accepted beginning Monday, July 29th, 2024, however, Princesses must check in at the speaker booth prior to the deadline, before Grand Entry on Friday, August 9, 2024, to confirm they are present.
PTN Apparel Store Opening!
Get ready for the 30th Annual Powwow with the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s new online PTN apparel store! Keep the Powwow spirit with you, no matter where you are. Learn more here: https://www.poncatribe-ne.gov/ptn-apparel-store-opening/.
Weekend Event Schedule:
Click here for a full list of Youth-specific Powwow events!
Thursday, August 8, 2024 – Grand Entry at 7 pm
Enrollment at Powwow | 8 am – 4 pm | Niobrara Headquarters
8:30 am – 4:30 pm | Niobrara Agency Building
Member Meet & Greet | 9 am – 12 pm
Members from near and far are invited to meet with relatives!
į́ ‘ųtį̀ (Hand Game) | 10 am
Cliff Taylor Youth Workshop | 11 am
Archery | 1 – 2:30 pm
Friday, August 9, 2024 – Grand Entry at 1 pm & 7 pm
Enrollment at Powwow | 8 am – 4 pm | Niobrara Headquarters
8:30 am – 4:30 pm | Niobrara Agency Building
Mobile Medical Unit | 9 am – 2 pm
Health Tent | 9 am – 2 pm
Dental at Powwow | 9 am – 2 pm
Archery | 9:30 – 11 am
**Food, Diaper, and Buffalo Distribution | 10 am – 3 pm
PTN Swag Giveaway | 10 am – 3 pm
T’íúžì Ákà T’ą́đį Úžawà – Family Fun Run | 5 pm
Saturday, August 10, 2024 – Grand Entry at 1 pm & 7 pm
Elder’s Breakfast & Bingo | 9 – 11 am
Enrollment at Powwow | 9:00 am – 12:30 pm | Niobrara Agency Building
Mobile Medical Unit | 9 am – 2 pm
Health Tent | 9 am – 2 pm
Dental at Powwow | 9 am – 2 pm
Archery | 9 – 10 am
Environmental Crafts | 10 am – 3 pm
**Food, Diaper, and Buffalo Distribution | 10 am – 3 pm
PTN Swag Giveaway | 10 am – 3 pm
Cornhole Tournament | 10 am
Lacrosse Demonstration | 10 am
Diabetes Program Food Demonstration | 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Princess Competition | 1 pm
Sunday, August 11, 2024 – Grand Entry at 1 pm
Horseshoe Contest | 10 am
Team Dance Competiton | 3:30 pm
Powwow schedule, map, weather, and safety information will all be available on-site. Any schedule changes will be announced by the MC during the Powwow.
**Distributions of food, diapers, and buffalo will be held at these times on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. Buffalo meat will NOT be held for pick up at a later date, and buffalo meat storage will not be available during the event.
Safety Information:
Reduce the spread of disease and illness by washing your hands! Hand washing stations will be located on the grounds, as well as permanent restroom locations. Click here to learn more.
Insects: Ticks are an ever-present concern during warm weather, especially when walking through grassy, brushy, or wooded areas, which are all around the Powwow grounds. The grounds have been sprayed for mosquitoes, but attendees should pack bug repellant if they plan to spend a significant amount of time outdoors. Please bring insect repellant, and consider treating all clothing with products containing 0.5% permethrin, which can be used on boots, clothing, and camping gear and lasts through multiple washes.
After you’ve been outside, examine your gear, your clothing, and your body, and consider showering after being outside for extended periods of time. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce the risk of getting Lyme disease and may be effective in reducing other tick-borne diseases, according to the CDC. This also gives you an opportunity to check your body for ticks. Check especially under your arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, backs of knees, in and around the hair, between the legs, and around the waist.
Sun & heat: Niobrara, Nebraska is hot during the month of August. Click here to learn more about the differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and how to avoid heat-related injuries.
Severe Weather: In the event of severe weather, follow directions provided by Safety staff. Take shelter when necessary. The permanent bathroom serves as a storm shelter. Click here to learn more about severe weather.
Campfire Safety: Tips for keeping you safe
- Before a campfire
- Check for fire bans in your arena
- Use a fire pit away from structures
- Keep combustibles and debris away from the fire
- During a campfire
- Never leave the fire unattended
- Only adults should handle the fire
- Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby to extinguish a fire or sparks
- Never touch a log that is in the fire, even if you just put it there
- After a campfire
- Completely extinguish the fire before you leave or go to sleep, making sure that all coals aren’t red or hissing
Click here to learn more about fire safety & prevention.
FOOD VENDORS:
If you are a food vendor this year for Powwow, you need to complete the food handlers certification linked here: https://www.ihs.gov/GeneralWeb/webapps/webprofile/register/indexpop2.cfm?module=register&rs=https://www.ihs.gov/index.cfm%2Ffoodhandler%2F?
To complete your certification, you’ll create an account, log in, and complete the class and test. Once you’ve completed the class and test, you’ll bring the certification with you to the Powwow.
If you already have a current NE/IA food handler’s certification, you do not need to complete this class and test.