- This event has passed.
Numaga Indian Days PowWow 2023
September 1 - September 3
NEVADA’S LARGEST POWWOW! HUNGRY VALLEY RESERVATION 18 miles from Reno, NV
Don’t miss the nationally acclaimed 35th Annual Numaga Indian Days Pow Wow starting on Thursday, August 31st, through Sunday, September 3rd, in Hungry Valley, NV at 105 Loop Rd, Sparks, NV 89441.
Hungry Valley is 7 miles past Spanish Springs High School on Eagle Canyon Drive. For RSIC mapping, go to https://rsic-planning-rsic.hub.arcgis.com
View Here: Directions to Numaga Powwow
This FREE, family-friendly annual event is held over Labor Day weekend and features the best Native American dancers, singers and drummers in the country.
Besides the memorable pow wow entertainment, over 50 vendors sell traditional native foods, stunning handcrafted silver work, bead work, baskets and other American Indian art.
History of Numaga Indian Days Pow Wow
The Numaga Indian Days Pow Wow is named after Chief Numaga, the famous Paiute Chief, known for peace. Chief Numaga was a great 19th century leader who had the courage and the vision to counsel against war. Facing severe threats to his people by invading white forces, Numaga repeatedly chose peace. His successful peace negotiations, helped set a precedent for future disputes.
Numaga also has a documented history of trying to preserve the destruction of our aboriginal lands. Numaga called the pine nut groves, the Indian’s orchards and asked whites to collect fallen timber instead of cutting down healthy trees. Unfortunately, Numaga’s early advocacy for Mother Earth fell on deaf ears. Translated from the English language, Numaga means “Give Food.” He passed away in 1871 and is buried in the hills near Wadsworth.
Schedule:
Thursday, 8/31 @ 6pm, Numaga Princess Pageant at Hungry Valley Amphitheater
Friday, 9/1 @ 7pm, Pow Wow Grand Entry
Friday, 9/1 @7pm, Hungry Valley Hand Games
Saturday, 9/2 @ 8am, Warrior Mountain Run & Numaga 3 Mile Walk/Run
Saturday, 9/2 @ 1pm, Pow Wow Grand Entry
Saturday, 9/2 @ TBA, Hungry Valley Hand Games
Saturday, 9/2 @ 6pm, Community Feed
Saturday, 9/2 @ 7pm, Pow Wow Grand Entry
Saturday, 9/2 @ about 9:30pm, Pow Wow Spotlight Special
Sunday, 9/3 @ 12pm, Pow Wow Grand Entry
Hungry Valley is 7 miles past Spanish Springs High School on Eagle Canyon Drive. For RSIC mapping, go to https://rsic-planning-rsic.hub.arcgis.com
HOST DRUM: Fort Peck Sioux, Poplar, MT
STAFF
MC: Taylor “Cheii” Begay
HEAD MAN: Brand White Eyes
HEAD WOMAN: Shaina Snyder
ARENA DIRECTOR: Michael Grant Sr. (Omaha Tribe)
HEAD JUDGE: Shawn Yazzie (Arizona, USA) & Jennifer Fragua (Fallon, NV)
SOUND: HOKAH Sound
POINT SYSTEM: Tabulator, Kristie Thompson
For Additional Powwow Information:
Vendor Info: Bridgette Stump, (775)-846-5997 or powwow@rsic.org
Princess Contest: Klarissa O’Neil, (775)-870-0828 or Lorri Chasing Crow, (775)-294-1740
General Info:
Anita Talancon (775)-338-3723
Lorri Chasing Crow, (775)-294-1740
Antoinette Thayer, (775)-772-9003
Klarissa O’Neil, (775)-870-0828
Bridgette Stump, (775)-846-5997
Jason Stewart, (775)-399-2177
Photo & Media Inquiries: Bethany Sam, (775)-842-2902 or bsam@rsic.org
Numaga Indian Days Pow Wow
The sound of drums fills the air as hundreds of dancers and participants move around the dance arena, using dance styles and steps that match their dance ‘regalia’.
Men will dress and dance in styles such as Northern and Southern Traditional, Fancy Dance, Grass Dance, and Chicken Dance to name those most commonly used.
Women, likewise will dress in cloth and buckskin outfits in both Northern and Southern Traditional styles, Jingle Dance and Fancy Shawl Dance styles. Inside the pow wow circle, the grand entry which features all the performers, begins with more than a hundred dancers grouped by their dress style led by Native American military Veterans.
In between dances, spectators may take their energy to the hand games–traditional gambling that has been played for thousands of years. It is a guessing game involving animal bones and sticks with a background of songs and drums, used to distract the opposing team.
The Numaga Indian Days Pow Wow features more than 50 vendors selling native foods like fry bread and handcrafted bead work and blankets to share their native culture with the outside world.
Your trip to the to beautiful Hungry Valley will be worth it just for the fry bread.
