“When I was younger I used to attend Powwows but I didn’t dance and didn’t sing at that time. But now it’s part of seeing everybody, we’re an inter-tribal powwow,” Bible said. “Powwow is not ceremonial, we’re not tribal affiliated so we’re more of a grassroots group trying to keep it together, a long standing tradition in Tulsa.”
TULSA, Okla.- The Tulsa Indian Club hosted their 71st annual Tulsa Powwow at the Cox Business Center on July 22-23. Throughout those days there were contests, special contests, crowning for the new tribal princess, food vendors, as well as arts and craft vendors.
Attendees were welcome to watch the dancers, as well as listen to the drums and songs. They were able to shop at the vendor booths and enjoy traditional Native American foods. The Tulsa Powwow is held annually every year in July.
The annual event is not considered ceremonial to any one specific tribe, rather it is a celebration of Native American cultures within the area.
Tulsa Indian Club/Tulsa Powwow Chairman David Bible (Mvskoke and Hopi) has been involved with the club for about 10 years.
“There’s a lot of memories here in the past 71 years, here at the Tulsa Powwow,” Bible said.
Throughout the years they have hosted the annual powwow. It has been located at different locations, but is now currently held at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa. The facility is owned by the city, who has worked with the club for the past eight years. The Tulsa Indian Club is very grateful for them.
Last year’s powwow in 2022 was the club’s first year hosting the annual event in three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That powwow saw 4,500 people that attended. “It was kind of a reunion with people, and it was a memory of those that passed on during that time.” Bible said. “Because that’s how we stay strong and that’s how we keep our connection to each other.”
Celebrating Inter Tribal Cultures
The event has an admission fee due to the venue, however in the future they hope to gain a sponsor to provide free admission.
The club has invited different head staffs to participate, but it changes from year to year. In the past they have invited people from outside of the state, including singers from Canada to attend the event.
This year saw different categories the dancers participated in. Prizes were handed out for the winners in each category.
During the powwow Bible stated there was a saying, “You dance for the people, you dance for your family and you dance for yourself.”
“Two days for the ladies and teens on Saturday. On Sunday it’s the men’s categories where they dance. But either day you’ll see both men and women dancing different contests. The head staff holds their own special contest in the style that they dance, you’ll see a little bit of everything each day,” Bible said.
Every year the princess committee choses a new princess through the application process. When the new princess is chosen, they honor the princess that previously served. It is then when the committee introduces the new princess with a banner and crown.
“Each one of these princesses have done great in the community after they left and they still come back to the powwow every year,” Bible said.
To participate in the dances, dancers message the Tulsa Indian Club/Tulsa Powwow on Facebook or contact someone that is a member of the club.
The club tries to use local vendors and vendors from out of state. They also host vendors that travel the “powwow circuit”. According to Bible, these vendors go through an application process and are accepted based on space availability.
A group of visitors from China attended as well. Through an interpreter, they learned about powwow culture, and its significance in Native American communities. According to Bible, “Reservation Dogs” actors Mike and Funny Bone came out to do a dinner break show.
Club History and Community
The Tulsa Indian Club started in the backyard of a midtown house in the late 1940s after World War II. After a couple of veterans came back from the war they noticed there was not a gathering place for Native Americans. During that time it was against the law for Native Americans to practice their traditions. Among that group were five guys that started to sing their songs. This small gathering would eventually become the Tulsa Indian Club. The organization officially organized in February 1952, according to Bible.
The members of the Tulsa Indian Club are either singers or dancers. Their powwow even saw volunteers that appeared in the television series, “Reservation Dogs”. The number of members in the club range from 15-40. They hold an annual meeting once a month.
“We try to have a member promotion dinner once a year to incur new members,” Bible said.
These communities seek to stay in touch with their fellow Native Americans in the area. Tulsa is located at the intersection of three different tribal nations; Osage, Cherokee and Mvskoke.
“I was told back in the day our families got together to enjoy and see each other, identify with each other,” Bible said. “Now this is kind of coming around where people come here to be with their people, with their own kind that they hadn’t seen.”
The Tulsa Indian Club participates in all sorts of parades, Johnson O’Malley functions, and open up conferences. They try to utilize all three represented nations’ honor guards.
When they go to local powwows the group is usually identified through a feather bustle as their logo. Women that represent the group have shaws that are identified as Tulsa Indian Club clothing.
In Bible’s younger years he was involved with the Tulsa Indian Youth Council. He attended the events with his parents, who were part of the Johsnon O’Malley program. During his lifetime Bible experienced struggles, however he later decided to become more involved with his community. This led him to participate in different events. Bible knew he wanted to target the younger generation in order to help them connect with their heritage and culture.
“When I was younger I used to attend Powwows but I didn’t dance and didn’t sing at that time. But now it’s part of seeing everybody, we’re an inter-tribal powwow,” Bible said. “Powwow is not ceremonial, we’re not tribal affiliated so we’re more of a grassroots group trying to keep it together, a long standing tradition in Tulsa.”
For more information, follow their Facebook page, Tulsa Indian Club/Tulsa Powwow, or call David Bible at 918-724-0762.
2023 Tulsa Powwow Winners
Golden Age Men & Women Categories:
Golden Age Women’s Fancy Shawl
1st: Annamae Pushetonequa
2nd: Tracey Ann Moore
Golden Age Women’s Jingle
1st: Tonette Ponkilla
Golden Age Women’s Buckskin
1st: Angela Toineeta
2nd: Mary Olsen
3rd: Carolyn Littleaxe Sadongei
Golden Age Women’s Cloth
1st: Tammy Battiest
2nd: Jo Neda Sage
3rd: Donna Patty
Golden Age Men’s Fancy
1st: Pete Moore
2nd: Randy Moore
3rd: Thorpe Sine
Golden Age Men’s Grass
1st: Chris Whitewolf
2nd: Wayne Pushetonequa
3rd: Pat Pacheco
Golden Age Men’s Traditional
1st: Pat Moore
2nd: Crickett Shields
3rd: Kevin Harlan
Golden Age Men’s Straight
*Many thanks to Chief Roy for donating the winner’s plaques*
1st: Henry Hunter
2nd: Kelly Grant
3rd: Gary Unah
Men’s & Women’s Adult Categories:
Women’s Fancy Shawl
1st: T’ata Begay
2nd: Tylynn Broncho
3rd: Talia Robertson
Women’s Jingle
1st: Catherine Sage
2nd: Regina Youngbear
3rd: Donie Pewo
Women’s Buckskin
1st: Catherine Howell
2nd: Tosha Goodwill
3rd: Whitney Sage
Women’s Cloth
1st: Blake Cunningham
2nd: Bethany Dupoint
3rd: Charlsie Calls Him
Men’s Fancy
1st: Xavier Toehay
2nd: Ryland Moore
3rd: Sly Issac
Men’s Grass
1st: DJ Yarholar
2nd: Wolfgang Leitka
3rd: Marty Thurman
Men’s Traditional
1st: Louie Sage
2nd: Nolan Shawnee
3rd: Donovan Haury
Men’s Straight
1st: Dillon Moore
2nd: Sonny Rouwalk
3rd: Eddy Harris
Jr. Girls & Jr. Boys Categories:
Jr. Girls Fancy Shawl
1st: Tatiana Barcindebar
2nd: EmberPrimeaux
3rd: Krystyana Issac
Jr. Girls Jingle
1st: Lucy A (Not present)
2nd: Aria Bates
3rd: Lena Tsosie
Jr. Girls Buckskin
1st: Candelinn Toehay-Tartsah
2nd: DaeLena Tsonetokoy
3rd: Barely Blevins
Jr. Girls Cloth
1st: Michaelia Plumley
2nd: Victoria Hamon
3rd: Madison Bighorse
Jr. Boys Fancy
1st: Jacoby Shawnee
2nd: Vann Wildcat
3rd: Charlie Rice
Jr: Boys Grass
1st: Ron Rice lll
2nd: Jimmie Wildcat
3rd: Aiden Whiteshirt
Jr. Boys Traditional
1st: Heston Echohawk
2nd: Sky Wildcat
3rd: #457
Jr. Boys Straight
1st: Avery Fields
2nd: Keaton Toehay-Tartsah
3rd: Darian Bemo
