Dancers wearing traditional regalia pose during a past pow wow event. The Yuba-Sutter Winter Pow Wow will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Marysville Youth Center. Photo courtesy of Pat Bennett

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Yuba-Sutter Winter Pow Wow will take place Saturday, Feb. 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Marysville Youth Center, also known as the Tri Counties Community Center, 1830 B St. The event is free and open to the public.

Organizers describe the pow wow as a cultural gathering rooted in Native tradition that brings together dancers, singers, families and community members from across the region. While pow wows are often viewed by spectators as entertainment, organizers emphasize that the gathering carries cultural and spiritual meaning.

“The contemporary pow wow is a link to the past that helps maintain Native heritage,” said Pat Bennett, one of the event organizers. “It is a time of sharing, of learning and of caring, and a time when Indian people reflect on their traditions.”

The term “pow wow” is commonly traced to the Algonquin word “Pau Wau,” which originally referred to spiritual leaders and healers. Over time, the word came to describe the gathering itself as tribes adopted the term while preserving their own customs and ceremonies.

“As Indian tribes learned English, they accepted this definition,” Bennett said. “The renewal of traditions and reinforcement of heritage is the important thing.”

The day’s schedule begins with an open gourd dance at 11 a.m., followed by grand entry at noon. Contest and intertribal dancing will continue throughout the day, along with a team dance contest. Organizers note that all drums and all dancers are welcome to participate.

Grand entry marks the formal opening of each dance session and is one of the most significant moments of the pow wow. The procession is led by flag bearers, often veterans or respected elders, carrying the American flag and eagle staff, followed by head dancers and participants arranged by age and dance category.

Val Shadowhawk will serve as master of ceremonies, announcing dances, explaining protocols and helping guide spectators through the event. Eugene Newman is the arena director and will oversee the dance arena and coordinate grand entry.

Northern Eagle will serve as the host northern drum, with So Ex Styles named as the host southern drum. Host drums are selected for their experience and readiness to support the event throughout the day.

Head dancers announced for the pow wow include Head Teen Boy Tank Young, Head Teen Girl Gisselle Duran, Head Boy Nahui Medina and Head Girl Annelecia Olvera. Bennett said being selected as a head dancer is considered an honor and reflects a dancer’s reputation and knowledge of tradition.

Craft vendors and food vendors will be on site throughout the day, including Indian tacos. The event is designed as a family-friendly gathering, and organizers encourage community members to attend and observe respectfully.

Pow Wow Etiquette

Organizers stress that the dance arena, sometimes called the arbor, is considered sacred for the duration of the pow wow. The arena is blessed before dancing begins and remains ceremonial space throughout the event.

“It should be treated like the inside of a church,” Bennett said.

Attendees are asked to listen closely to announcements from the master of ceremonies, who will provide guidance on when to stand, when photography is permitted and how to conduct themselves during ceremonies. During grand entry, spectators are typically asked to stand, and men are asked to remove hats.

Visitors are reminded not to touch dancers or their regalia without permission and not to cross the dance arena unless directed. Organizers also ask attendees to refrain from profanity or disruptive behavior.

The pow wow is a drug-free, alcohol-free and smoke-free event and does not support the recreational use of tobacco.

The event is sponsored by the American Indian Education Program of the Marysville Joint Unified School District and co-sponsored by the Sutter Yuba Pow Wow.