Dance, song, drum & colour—the Kamloopa Powwow is a feast for your senses and your spirit.
The festival is hosted by the Kamloopa Powwow Society who work hard to plan and roll out this lively, fun-filled three (3) day event.
You will want to rest up before you go as the days start early and end late—and are jam-packed throughout with events you will not want to miss.
The Kamloopa Powwow has grown over the years into a world-class celebration of vibrant Indigenous Culture at the 43rd Annual Kamloopa Powwow taking place June 28-30, 2024 at the Arbour, a beautiful Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc Special Events Facility within Secwepemcúl’ecw—the Traditional homelands of the Secwepemc Nation.
The Secwepemc Nation was at one time thirty-two communities separate and independent of one another, but united by a common language, customs, ceremonies and traditions.
You’ll witness some of those customs and hear many languages shared at the Kamloopa Powwow. A Powwow is a chance to come together. It is a time of celebration. It is a space to share our cultures, uplift our spirits and to enjoy the art of the dance, the beauty of our songs and to practice the Traditions of our ancestors.
The Kamloopa Powwow is a very popular event. Each year more than 500 dancers and drummers descend onto the festival grounds in a riot of colour, drumming, singing, dancing—Traditional, Grass, Fancy, Jingle, Chicken—from Tiny Tots to Golden Age dancers, Princess Pageants and visiting Royalty.
It is a must-see event that will fill you with song and joy. You will be smiling through and through from 8:30AM when the facilities open to when the dancing settles down and the colours are retired at midnight.
If you would like to join in for the dancing, you will want to register before the start of the festival. You'll need to self identify as Indigenous, wear the number issued to you and read the dancing festival rules before you get started. Each of the dancers is judged for their skill, dress, and dance ability. There are also other rules you will want to know before you get started.
Dancing is good for your spirit and your wallet. There are great financial prizes to be won. Prize monies for 2023 were $96,700 with each category paying our $150 to $1,000.
If you do decide to dance and take some pictures, be sure to send them to us. We would love to see your outfits and learn more about each of your choices and what they mean to you and your family. If you share on Instagram, feel free to tag us @cherylstradingpost so we can enjoy the festival through your eyes.
And you'll be in good company. There are dancers and attendees from all across Turtle Island—Canada and the United States. Many of those who have attended once come again and again to share in the atmosphere of dance, drum, song, colour—and of course the great food and variety of vendors.
We have enjoyed the Kamloopa Powwow for many years and wanted to share some things it is good to know before you go. Friends often ask us where to stay or how to get there. We have put a little section below in case it is helpful to you.
If you miss the powwow, do not worry. You can shop our collections online anytime. Visit www.cherylstradingpost.com to see beautiful art and designs for you, your home or to give as gifts.
Know Before You Go:
Parking: Parking is available on-site and tickets can be purchased at the gate. The cost is very reasonable at $10.00 per day or $20.00 for a weekend pass—includes drummers & dancers.
Camping: Camping is first come first serve basis and people start setting up on Wednesday, August 2. Cost is $10 for a day pass and $20 for a weekend pass, which includes the camping.
Volunteers: Each year the festival looks for volunteers in Janitorial, Security, Concession, Gates and Parking. Volunteers are paid an honourium of $17.50 per hour.
For all inquiries, please reach out to: Kamloopa Powwow Society at Tel: (778) 257 7831 or Tel: (250) 319-8318. You can also email the organizers at: powwow@kib.ca.
Where to stay:
- Doubletree by Hilton / Tel: +1 250-851-0026
- Holiday Inn & Suites / Tel: +1 250-376-8288
- Travelodge / Tel: +1 250-374-4788
- Super8 / Tel: +1 250-374-8688
Learn More About Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc History: https://tkemlups.ca/profile/history/our-story/