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Chukchansi Powwow Starts Friday

Chukchansi’s Largest Cultural Event of the Year Celebrates Unity and Heritage Through Song, Dance, Food

 COARSEGOLD, CA. – Native American culture will flourish October 7-9 at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino as the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians kicks off its 2022 Powwow in a celebration of song and dance with the theme “Restoring Honor.”

The Tribe’s largest cultural event of the year will feature a remarkable showcase of traditional handmade regalia, singing, dancing, drumming, crafts, and food. This year’s event will be a homecoming as the community is welcomed to the tribe’s homeland, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino. The event will be held in the resort’s lower parking lot.

“Powwow is a very special time of year as we gather to connect, celebrate our Tribe’s rich history and culture, and express our patriotism through prayer, drumming, singing, and dancing,” said Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians’ Tribal Council. “We invite the entire community to join us as we recognize the incredible blessings in our lives; come together in unity; and honor our ancestors, elders, and veterans, whose sacrifices and perseverance forged the path for our present and our future.”

Led by Master of Ceremonies Val Shadowhawk, festivities will include dance, drum, and hand game contests, raffles, and the crowning of Miss Chukchansi and Jr. Miss Chukchansi.

Highlighted performances include the Spiritgrounds Singers (northern drum), Red Buffalo (southern drum), and American Indian Veterans Association (color guard). Dance competitions will range from Tiny Tots (6 years and under) to the Golden Age group (participants aged 65 and older). Wearing colorful outfits, dancers will demonstrate their talents as they compete for cash prizes. Head Dancers include Jose Red Sky (head man), Ruth Reid (head woman), Joe Rios Jr. (teen boy), Aih-Nayah Manuel (teen girl), Dravus Coin (Jr. boy), Sacred-Dawn Kaiser (Jr. girl), Jordan Nava (tiny tot boy) and Neveah Woods (tiny tot girl).

Guests also will want to experience the daily Grand Entry, a procession of all the Tribal dancers in their Native American finest.

A variety of vendors will be on-site selling Native American crafts.

All dancers and spectators are welcome.

Powwow Hours:

  • Oct. 7 – 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Oct. 8 – 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Oct. 9 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Event Schedule:

  • Miss Chukchansi and Jr. Miss Chukchansi Crowning – October 7 at 4:30 p.m.
  • Indian Frybread Contest – October 7 at 6 p.m.
  • Cornhole Tournament (games begin when registration closes):
    • October 7 at 6 p.m.; registration from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    • October 8 at 11 a.m.; registration from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • 2022 First Annual Handgame Tournament (games begin when registration closes):
    • October 7 – Bonehog Tournament – $50 registration fee; registration closes at 7 p.m.
    • October 8 – Main Tournament – $125 entry fee; registration from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
    • October 9 – 3-Man Tournament – $75 entry for adults/$50 entry for kids tournament; registration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Grand Entry – October 8 and 9 at 12 p.m.
  • Dancing Competitions – October 8 and 9 at 1 p.m.
  • Dance Competition Winners Announcement – Sunday at 6 p.m.

Click here for the official Powwow brochure including a detailed event timeline.

Special thanks to major Powwow sponsors including PepsiCo, the Fresno Grizzlies, Power Promotions, Tribal Nation Flower Co., United Security Bank and Aristocrat Gaming.

 About Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino: 

Nestled near the majestic Yosemite National Park, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino brings the beauty of the Sierra foothills into a world-class destination resort with fine dining, heart-pounding entertainment and premier gaming. Since opening in 2003, Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino has been voted No. 1 for 15 years as Best Casino by the Fresno Bee People’s Choice Awards, sees over 130,000 monthly guests and employs over 1,100 individuals – disbursing roughly $50 million in payroll and benefits into the local economy every year. This year, guests are enjoying the newly refurbished and remodeled hotel towers with 402 luxury rooms, indoor/outdoor pool, Serenity Springs Spa, and the award-winning Vintage Steakhouse that further the casino’s reputation of quality, luxury and hospitality. Also known for its generous community support, the casino’s Chukchansi Cares program donates thousands of dollars to local non-profit organizations every year, in total giving nearly $20 million charitable dollars toward community benefit programs and initiatives. For more information about the hotel and casino, please call 1-866-794-6946 or visit ChukchansiGold.com. Must be 21 to enter the property and have a valid government issued photo ID.

For more information, contact info@chukchansigold.com.

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