The Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow, hosted annually by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, is set to unfold this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Siletz. This cherished event, deeply rooted in tradition for the Siletz community and other Indigenous peoples, is open to the public and offers a family-friendly experience free of charge.
All activities, apart from the parade, will be held at the Pauline Ricks Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds located on Government Hill in Siletz.
Festivities kick off on Friday, August 9, at 6 p.m. with the crowning of the 2024-2025 Siletz Royalty. Following this, dancers representing various styles will make their grand entrance into the arena at 7 p.m., marking the start of preliminary competitions. On Saturday, the celebration continues with a parade through downtown Siletz at 10 a.m., showcasing tribal royalty, drummers, dancers, equestrian units, classic cars, and creative floats.
After the parade, the action returns to the pow-wow grounds at 1 p.m. with another grand entry. The afternoon will feature competition dancing for both youth and teens. Later in the evening, following the 7 p.m. grand entry, the competitions will resume, highlighting the Golden Age and adult categories alongside the youth and teen finals.
Sunday, the concluding day of the pow-wow, will see a grand entry at noon, featuring a Team Dance, Women’s Basket Cap Special, Round Bustle Special for men, and the Jackson Fancy Dance Memorial. The event will culminate with the awarding of winners in the Golden Age, adult, teen, and youth categories.
Throughout the weekend, numerous vendors will be offering a wide array of food, Native arts and crafts, and jewelry for sale at the pow-wow grounds.
For attendees' convenience, a complimentary shuttle service will be running from various parking lots in Siletz to the pow-wow grounds on Government Hill. Organizers encourage the use of the shuttle due to the limited parking available at the event site.
This is an alcohol- and drug-free event. Attendees are advised to pay close attention to the pow-wow announcer, who will provide guidance on when photography is appropriate and will also share the cultural significance of the various activities taking place in the dance arena throughout the event.
For more details, visit the official website at www.ctsi.nsn.us/heritage/pow-wow.
Venue:
Pauline Ricks Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds
402 Northeast Park Drive , Siletz, OR, 97380, 97380
