Dancers celebrated their Indigenous heritage at the annual Red Mountain Eagle Pow-Wow in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. 

The 36th annual pow-wow took place November 2 and 3 at the Salt River ballfields. Dozens of dancers from all over Indian Country were in attendance, along with both food and art vendors. 

“These dances celebrate what it means to be Indigenous,” said pow-wow emcee Vince Beyl. 

For years, the November pow-wow has been a popular way to start off the holiday season and just in time for Native American Heritage Month. This year was no different; the turnout was heavy, and cars were lined up along Longmore Road near the Community Building.

Over 450 dancers had registered for competitions plus over 400 additional social dancers were seen performing throughout the weekend. 131 Arts and crafts vendors representing Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Montana, and Utah along with 17 food vendors were lined up around the arena and the parking lot south of the pow-wow grounds. Six information tables were also available from SRPD, SRFD, WOLF, Library, RPHC, SCC, and Native Health.  

It was an opportunity for individuals to be exposed to the rich Indigenous heritage in a modern way, with both artists and performers mixing old traditions with new nuances. The pow-wow is an invitation for all to gather in memory and celebrate. 

The three Grand Entry processions included eight drum groups led by Northern Cree, a well-known champion drum group from Canada. 

Despite construction around the pow-wow grounds, staff maintained traffic flow and crowd control, making sure guests were staying safe and having fun.