After three years of wading through the pandemic, the Meskwaki Powwow — a celebration of the tribe’s religious beliefs and social tradition — returned for its 106th iteration from August 11-14. It is the only event of its kind in the world.

The modern-day powwow has been adapted from the Meskwaki’s “Green Corn Dance,” an old traditional event celebrating the fall harvest that lasted upwards of three weeks. The tribe would gather for a feast and then preserve the surplus of crops for the winter months. Traditional dance and song would ring throughout the village, along with horse racing, gambling, and games. After the festival’s closing, families would return to their winter hunting grounds until the following spring.

The diversity of the Meskwaki tribe shines through their dazzling dance regalia. The elaborate outfits seen at the powwow have been preserved for generations. Powwow dance regalia is an art form. Some individuals take years to design, sew and tailor their outfits, while others have theirs passed down to them and some purchase a handcrafted outfit from Native artisans — representing the Meskwaki Tribe’s history and expression of one’s heritage while still celebrating individualism.

The Meskwaki keep traditional elements alive through dance techniques and styles. As dancers glide through the arena, guided by the drumming and singing, they sway, twirl, crouch, and dash around, writing stories with their movement. Particular drumbeats lead dancers to bounce, leap or tap in tune with the music.

While their movements appear fluid and effortless, they require great strength, perfect balance, and breath control. Dancers must be in peak physical conditions to maneuver particularly tricky footwork and movements, all while wearing upwards of 40 pounds of regalia. While each dancer adds their own flair to their movements, there are traditional Meskwaki Dances that are divided between genders.

The Men’s Shield Dance is performed by two young men. Their movements tell the story of the battle and demonstrate their skills in hand-to-hand combat. This dance was adopted from Southern Plain tribes in the 1940s and is still performed today in remembrance of the Meskwaki tribe’s early contact with the Kiowa, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Comanche tribes.

The Women’s Swan Dance is a tribute to the unseen shadows of those that have passed before them. This dance depicts the graceful movements of birds and the most majestic of all, water birds. As they dance backward, they honor the wind, thanking it for always blowing across the Meskwaki settlement.

The Friendship Dance is a universal dance amongst tribal nations welcoming visitors to the host tribe. It tells the story of companionship and goodwill amongst all humankind. The Meskwaki tribe invites all peoples of all walks of life to join together in this dance at the powwow.

The Snake Dance, performed on the final day of the powwow, is the longest and most strenuous dance of all. This lively dance includes Meskwaki dancers of all ages and is a favorite amongst guests. This follow-the-leader style dance tells the story of a snake’s journey through life. The dancers mimic serpentine movements, the shedding of a snake’s skin and coiling into hibernation before the snake crosses onto the new world.

Everyone is welcome at the Meskwaki Powwow. Indigenous peoples from across the nation and other tribes join Meskwaki during powwow season. Vendors sell native art and jewelry, traditional clothing, t-shirts, blankets, and even hand-carved flutes, pipes, and knives. The aroma of frybread, burgers, and pies floats through the powwow grounds. The Meskwaki Powwow is a yearly event where the Meskwaki Nation shares its unique traditions with the world.