Annual powwow moves to Oakland Beach

The Rhode Island Native Council will hold its annual, intertribal powwow this weekend, July 15 and 16, for the first time at Oakland Beach. Festivities open at 10 a.m. with the Grand Entry, featuring Native Americans in full regalia, will begin at 12 p.m. The powwow will go until 6 p.m. both days.

The powwow, hailed as a family-friendly outreach activity to “spread goodwill” by Darrell Waldron, executive director for the Rhode Island Indian Council, is open to the public and will feature a few vendors selling Native American crafts and jewelry and Native American cuisine – perhaps some chowder and maybe wild rice and frogs legs, said Waldron.

Waldron said that there are about 6,500 Native Americans living in Rhode Island, with many in Warwick, and that he hopes the powwow brings out a large sampling of Native Americans and all who are interested in learning more about Native American culture.

“It’s a friendly powwow. Everyone is invited including everyone from the public. It’ll be a great time for all,” Waldron said. “It will be very colorful with the full regalia. It’s great for kids.”

Waldron said that the powwow has been going since 1975, and has been held at in Providence for most of those years. He said the switch to Oakland beach was an attempt to draw more people to the powwow and that he was hopeful that many people will show up. He also thanked those in Warwick who have welcomed the Rhode Island Native Council with open arms.

“It’s been great working here,” Waldron said. “Warwick is really welcoming.”

The powwow was held in City Park last year.