Appreciate your Nebraska Vacation at the Winnebago Pow-wow
If you are traveling to be near Winnebago, Nebraska for your Nebrasaka vacations in July you may want to schedule time to be at the Ho-Chunk Pow Wow. This exciting pow wow has thousands of native american dancers and musicians performing a fabulous celebration for the last 5 days of July every year. It will be a wonderful opportunity to observe the most colorful and intricate native clothing that anyone will ever see, a beautiful Nebraska attraction you can not miss.
The Ho-Chunk Indians were first from Wisconsin but around the 19th century the U.S. Government wanted the land they lived on and they forced them to move. 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 to South Dakota where they were held in stockades until they managed to escape. They finally ended up 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 chiefton. 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 pow wow 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 Ho-Chunk Nation Pow-Wow is the oldest Pow-wow in the United States. The Pow Wow is a way to restore friendships, respect the heritage and the traditional ways and enjoy the fact that they can all gather together to welcome the dancing and music of the culture. It has been held on an annual basis since 1866.
Guests are welcome to come and enjoy the festival. Observe the dancing, enjoy the sounds 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. Come out and experience the pow wow, even if you can only stay for one day it will be a memory you will remember from your Nebraska travel.
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