At the Coushatta Powwow dancers compete for thousands of dollars of prize money. See cultural demonstrations and ceremonial tributes. Read more information about the traditional dances and customs. All in the comfort of our 3,600 seat-climate-controlled pavilion!

DANCE COMPETITIONS
Golden Age Northern & Golden Age Southern (55-69) • Elders (70+)
Northern & Southern

Jr Adult Men (18-34) & Sr Adult Men (35-54)
Northern Traditional
Southern Straight
Grass
Fancy
Chicken

Jr Adult Women (18-34) & Sr Adult Women (35-54)
Northern Traditional
Southern Cloth
Southern Buckskin
Jingle
Fancy

Teen Girls & Teen Boys (13-17)
Traditional
Fancy
Jingle
Grass

Junior Girls & Junior Boys (7-12)
Traditional
Fancy
Jingle
Grass

Teen Girl's Traditional Special (13-19)
Sponsored by the Coushatta Princess & Coushatta Jr. Princess

Men’s Chicken Special
Sponsored by Angelo Begay, Head Man Dancer

Women’s Jingle Special
Sponsored by Prairie Rose Jack, Head Woman Dancer

Hand Drum Special
Sponsored by Sovereign Youth Council

Switch Dance Special
Sponsored by Sovereign Youth Council

Drum Competitions

Feel the Power & Excitement
The drum is the heartbeat and central pulse of the Powwow.

There are always one or several groups of singers who sing as the beat in unison to the rhythm on a large drum. Each drum has a lead singer and a “second” who repeats the lead line on a different or similar key.

Good drums are always in demand at powwows and become very popular. Drums take turns and often a certain drum is requested for a particular song. Drummers are usually men but women may also drum and sometimes an all women’s drum group is seen.

Drum groups play different kinds of songs, many are very old and traditional. Songs are sung four times a sacred number in Indian tradition. Most songs have no actual words, but are syllables that carry the melody and meaning of the song. These syllables are called vocables. Songs are sung in English or Native languages.

PAYOUTS - Singing Contest (Southern & Northern Combined)
1st $20,000
2nd $17,000
3rd $14,000
4th $11,000
5th $8,000
3 Consolations of $3,000
Minimum six singers

Teen Girl's Traditional Special (13-19) sponsored by the Coushatta Princess & Coushatta Jr. Princess
Men's Chicken Special sponsored by Angelo Begay, Head Man Dancer Women's Jingle Special sponsored by Prairie Rose Jack, Head Woman Dancer
Hand Drum Special sponsored by Sovereign Youth Council
Switch Dance Special sponsored by Sovereign Youth Council

Schedule of Events:

5pm - Gourd Dance
7pm - Grand Entry