📌 3 Rivers Powwow

Celebrate Indigenous cultures, community, and connection through song, dance, and artistry at Milwaukee Public Museum! The second annual 3 Rivers Powwow will feature dancers dressed in beautiful regalia sharing various powwow dance styles, accompanied by singing and drumming from different drum groups around Wisconsin. EVERYONE is welcome to enjoy this unique event. Visitor can also shop for apparel, jewelry, artwork, and other cultural crafts by Native artisans, and visit resource tables serving Milwaukee’s Indigenous community. COST The event is included with general admission. All Wisconsin Tribal members receive FREE admission to MPM throughout the month of November, including to the 3 Rivers Powwow, made possible by Potawatomi Casino | Hotel; simply inform Visitor Services you are a Tribal member upon check-in. DANCE SPECIALS Men’s 18+ ($100/$75/$40) Women’s 18+ ($100/$75/$40) Youth ($40/$30/$20/$20) Street Clothes Special ($50/$50/ $20/$20) The first 40 dancers in full regalia to register will receive an honorarium. Registration will take place onsite the day of the event. For more information, please email 3 Rivers Powwow organizer and MPM's Manager of Tribal Relations James Flores (Oneida Nation): floresj@mpm.edu. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Interested in learning more about powwows? Check out the below key terms and etiquette guide to familiarize yourself with this Native American celebration. What is a powwow? A powwow is a social gathering that celebrates Native American culture and history through song and dance. Everyone’s welcome to attend a powwow! They’re open to the public and a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, try Native American food, support Native American artists by purchasing arts and crafts, enjoy different styles of dancing, and listen to live singing from different drum groups. Key terms you’ll hear at a powwow: Grand Entry - This is when dancers will line up by category to start the powwow. During Grand Entry, dancers are led in by veterans carrying various flags and eagle staffs. Regalia - This term is used to describe the outfits worn by dancers at powwows. Using the word “costume” to describe this type of clothing is considered offensive and should not be used. If you want to compliment a dancer, just say “Nice regalia!” or “I really like your outfit!” Categories - Different dance styles seen at powwows are called categories. Each category is unique and has its own fundamental movements and history. Men’s Categories Grass Dancers – Dancers wear vibrant colors of yarn and cut fabric to simulate prairie grass. Their dance movements mimic steps that would be seen in knocking down tall grass. Northern Traditional – Dancers wear a U-shaped eagle bustle on their lower back. Their movement tells a story of hunting or fighting an enemy. Woodland Dancers – This style of dance originated in the Great Lakes region. The songs for this category are usually at a faster tempo. These dancers will often wear otter turbans with floral patterns seen on their regalia. Chicken Dancers – Dancers depict movements of a prairie chicken and wear a smaller, circular bustle. Men Fancy Dancers – These dancers wear two U-shaped bustles on their back and dance to fast tempo drumbeats displaying fast spins and footwork. Women’s Categories Jingle Dress – Dancers wear dresses adorned with cones, also known as a healing dress; their footwork is poised and elegant. Fancy Shawl Dancers – Dancers wear a shawl over their shoulders and display intricate footwork while they move their arms gracefully with their shawl. Women’s Traditional – Dancers in this category wear traditional attire and move to the beat either with a slight step or bounce on the outside edge of the powwow circle. There are many styles of women’s traditional regalia. Applique Dancers - Similar to women’s traditional, women move elegantly to the drum beat and wear dresses that display intricate applique patterns. Specials These