American Indian Festivals - Tennessee

In 1830, with Tennessean Andrew Jackson as President, the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act. Tennessee Congressman David Crockett bitterly opposed the bill with many others, yet it passed by only one vote. The Indian removal of 1838-1839 displaced over 100,000 Native American Indians from their ancestral homes in the Southeastern United States to a reservation over 1,000 miles away in the territory now known as Oklahoma. This removal was conducted by forcing the Indians to travel by four primary routes. Approximately 4000 died along the way, and the Cherokees called it "Nunna dual Isuny," which translates as "The Trail Where We Cried". Today, it is referred to as the Trail of Tears.

Native American Powwow; image courtesy of Bill Larson

Sycamore Shoals Native American Festival

Celebrate Native American heritage at the Annual Sycamore Shoals Native American Festival at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, Tennessee. The two-day Sycamore Shoals Native American Festival features award-winning dancers, storytellers, artists, and scholars gather at the circle to share knowledge and demonstrate their skills. Come and discover Native American arts, music, and legends, with an emphasis on the Cherokee culture.

This weekend long festival will feature traditional and contemporary arts and crafts, traditional Native American song and dance, Cherokee storytelling and legends, Native American flute, Cherokee language workshops, and craft demonstrations and arts and crafts sales.

A unique feature of the Native American Culture festival is the educational/ demonstration area, located within Fort Watauga. The dance circle is located in the center of the fort, where the popular traditional dance and drum performances take place. In addition, flute music, storytelling, lectures, and much more take place within the circle, which share native culture and history with visitors.

Dragging Canoe, Doublehead Memorial Powwow

This event features a grand entrance at noon each day. It features many entertainers and other activities. The pow wow welcomes all drums and dancers welcome; daily pay for dancers.

MTSU American Indian Festival

The MTSU American Indian Festival is dedicated to the American Indians and the celebration of their culture and heritage. Now in its 7th year, this award winning Festival has become the largest event of its kind in the state of Tennessee.

The three day festival hosts hundreds of dancers, dozens of Native musicians and special guests, nationally recognized drum and singing groups, Native arts of every kind, working craftsmen, traditional Native foods, game and skill demonstrations, photo opportunities, cultural displays and educational exhibits, audience participation, and safe family entertainment.

Dancers from as far away as New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Canada, Oregon, the Dakotas, and Oklahoma plus every state in the South and Midwest attend this yearly event. In 2005 there were over 300 registered dancers from 14 states and eleven drum groups.

The three days include celebrations of cultural traditions, Native music and exhibition dancing, family reunions, friendly competitions, honor ceremonies, and special dedications.

Spirit of the wolf inter-tribal celebration

Spirit of the wolf inter-tribal celebration event is held at the Appalachian Fair grounds in Gray, Tennessee.

Tennessee Pow Wows
Native American Food, Arts & Crafts, Live Music, Dances
www.crazycrow.com

Tullahoma Intertribal Powwow
South Jackson Civic Center grounds, 404 South Jackson Street, Tullahoma, Tennessee.
A Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society. No Contest event. All drums and dancers welcome.
calendar.powwows.com


• Native American Festival - Tennessee Powwow
• Cherokee Indian Heritage & Sandhill Crane Viewing Days - Features a lecture series celebrating the local area and featuring wildlife and Cherokee Indian Heritage experts on Saturday at the Birchwood School.