The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana will welcome dancers, singers, artists and visitors from across North America this weekend for its 29th annual Coushatta Powwow, one of the largest Native American cultural gatherings in the southern United States.
The two-day event will take place June 12-13 at The Pavilion at Coushatta Casino Resort, featuring championship dance competitions, drum contests, traditional foods and a marketplace showcasing Native-made arts and crafts.
General admission is $10 per day, while children ages 6 and younger will be admitted free. Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate.
The annual powwow draws hundreds of representatives from tribes throughout the United States and Canada to celebrate Indigenous cultures through music, dance and community. World champion Native dancers and singers compete for prizes in an alcohol- and drug-free, family-friendly environment.
Visitors will see colorful regalia adorned with handcrafted beadwork and feathers, much of it made by hand and passed down through generations as family heirlooms. Tribal drum groups will provide the songs and rhythms that accompany dance competitions throughout the weekend, while exhibition and specialty dances will highlight participants across multiple age categories.
The event will also feature a marketplace offering traditional Native American foods, including Indian frybread and Indian tacos, alongside authentic arts and crafts. Shoppers can browse handmade turquoise and silver jewelry, beaded items and the Coushatta Tribe’s renowned long-leaf pine needle baskets.
The powwow schedule includes:
Friday, June 12
- Gourd Dance – 5 p.m.
- Grand Entry – 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 13
- Gourd Dance – 10 a.m.
- Grand Entry – Noon
- Gourd Dance – 5 p.m.
- Grand Entry – 7 p.m.
Organizers say the annual gathering offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Native traditions while celebrating the enduring cultures of Indigenous peoples from across North America.
