For the first time in three decades, downtown Detroit will host a powwow in celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The event is being organized by the North American Indian Association of Detroit (NAIA) in collaboration with Southeastern Michigan Indians Inc., American Indian Health and Family Services, and the Detroit Indigenous People’s Alliance. Scheduled to take place at Hart Plaza from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday, October 13, the powwow represents both a revival of tradition and a significant gathering for indigenous peoples.
Travis Schuyler, Program Director of NAIA, describes the event as both emotional and nostalgic for many in the Native community, marking a chance to reconnect and celebrate their heritage. Schuyler emphasizes that the powwow is not merely a performance; it is a cultural gathering where dancers in regalia and drum groups come together to honor their ancestors and share their culture with the wider community. The event is open to the public free of charge, providing an opportunity for non-indigenous participants to engage and learn about Native cultures, counteracting negative stereotypes.
The powwow will feature a Grand Entry—a traditional inauguration where dancers assemble to the rhythm of drums and songs. Participants will don regalia symbolizing family history and tribal identity, adorned with intricate beadwork, feathers, and traditional designs. The event will also include contest dancing and representations from Hawaiian indigenous people, showcasing a diverse array of cultural traditions. Attendees will have the chance to explore food and craft vendors, enriching their experience.
The initiative has been spearheaded by Detroit City Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero and her team, highlighting the importance of acknowledging the city’s indigenous roots. “Before Detroit was ‘Detroit,’ it was Waawiyaataanong,” Santiago-Romero noted, emphasizing the significance of acknowledging the ancestral and contemporary homeland of the Anishinaabe, or the Three Fires Confederacy, on whose land Detroit now stands.
For many indigenous people, this event is a long-awaited homecoming that offers a moment to pay tribute to past contributors to such gatherings and to look forward to the future. Schuyler expressed optimism about the powwow becoming a recurring event that fosters connections within and beyond the Native community. Councilwoman Santiago-Romero echoed this sentiment, stressing that inclusive events like this help build stronger community ties and promote a more encompassing Detroit.
Michigan is rich in Native American history, home to numerous federally recognized tribes such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi, whose presence and cultural influence are deeply embedded in the region’s history and place names. The return of the powwow to downtown Detroit is a testament to the city’s continuing acknowledgment and celebration of its indigenous heritage, promising an enriching experience for all participants and attendees.