The 2023 BraveNation Powwow and Gathering will be held Saturday, March 18, at the English E. Jones Center at UNC Pembroke. 

The grand entry is at noon. Doors open at 10 a.m. to the public. Everyone is invited to join the BraveNation Powwow and Gathering as we celebrate America's Indigenous peoples' rich history and culture. The powwow features competition dancing and vendors. This is an alcohol- and drug-free event.

Admission is:

• $5 for adults
• $3 for elders (60+), ages 7-18 and alumni
• Free for children (6 and under) and UNCP students, faculty and staff with a UNCP ID
• Non-UNCP college student admission (with college ID) is $3

Dancer and Drum Registration:

Each dancer and drummer will pay the general admission fee of $5 and be allowed entry into one competition. Vendor registration is $50, while food vendor registration is $100. The dancer, drum and vendor registration forms are available at uncp.edu/powwow. Bag chairs and selling merchandise by non-approved vendors are not allowed.

The dance categories and prize amounts are:

• Drum Contest: 1st: $500, 2nd: $350 and 3rd: $200
• Adult (18+): 1st: $200, 2nd: $150 and 3rd: $100 (men's northern and southern traditional, women's northern and southern traditional, men's fancy, women's fancy, men's grass, and women's jingle)
• Teen (13-17): 1st: $100, 2nd: $75 and 3rd: $50 (men's northern and southern traditional, women's northern and southern traditional, men's fancy, women's fancy, men's grass, and women's jingle)
• Junior (6-12): 1st: $75, 2nd: $50 and 3rd: $25 (boy's traditional, girl's traditional, boy's fancy, girl's fancy, boy's grass, and girl's jingle)
• Tiny Tot (5 and under): prizes to be awarded
• Special:
  • Sidestep for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW): 1st: $100, 2nd: $75 and 3rd: $50
  • Red Dress Dance Special for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) 1st: $125, 2nd: $75, 3rd: $50

Head staff:

• MC: Sandon Jacobs '99
• Assistant MC: Asa Locklear
• Arena Director: Jamie Locklear '02
• Host Drum: Stoney Creek
• Head Dancers: Kaloni Walton (female); Kevin Chavis (male) '16
• Head Dance/Drum Judge: Dr. Marty Richardson '98
• Tabulator: Samantha Brayboy

Donations: If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift. Gifts can be mailed to The UNCP Foundation, PO Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372.Checks should be made out to The UNCP Foundation with the gift designation to Powwow in the memo line. You can also give online at uncp.edu/give/powwow2023

Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers (UNCP student/faculty/staff) can sign up to assist with the setup and breakdown of the powwow as well as checking in attendees and other duties. Please click here to volunteer.

For more information and details about the BraveNation Powwow and Gathering, please go to uncp.edu/powwow, powwow@uncp.edu or call 910.775.4663. Follow us on Facebook: BraveNation Powwow and Gathering at UNC Pembroke.