This blog post was written before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when physical distancing and other COVID health and safety protocols were not in effect. The businesses and communities featured in this article may be once again welcoming visitors but please double check as some are only open with limited operations and others have not yet reopened.

We’ve compiled an ultimate guide to Pow Wows taking place across Canada this year. Take a look at the dates in your area, or plan your next road trip for a uniquely Canadian experience!

Pow Wows are ceremonial celebrations of cultural pride for all ages and provide an opportunity for Indigenous communities to gather together, celebrate, commemorate and learn from each other. These dynamic events showcase the music, dance, regalia, food and crafts of Indigenous peoples and nations from across Canada. Pow Wows are typically hosted by an identified First Nations community or organization, with neighbours, friends and relatives from all nations participating in many of today’s contemporary Pow Wows.

Pow Wow Etiquette


Pow Wows are a welcoming space and to ensure a wonderful experience for everyone, please be aware of Pow Wow Etiquette. Guidelines may vary between provinces and regions, so check with the MC, Arena Director or Head Singer if you’re unsure of expectations and they will be happy to help answer questions.

General Pow Wow Etiquette Includes:

  • Be on time
  • Dress and behave in an appropriate and respectful manner
  • Remember that arena benches are reserved for dancers and some seating is always reserved for Elders (bringing your own lawn chair is a great idea)
  • Be courteous and aware of those around you
  • Consider donating to honour and support the costs of these typically non-profit events
  • Drugs and alcohol are not allowed
  • Ask before taking photos at Pow Wows

2018 Pow Wows by Region


Alberta

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Napi Competition Pow Wow

January 19-21, 2018
Piikani FN, AB

Siksika Horn Society Pow Wow

February 17, 2018
Siksika, AB

International Peace Pow Wow

February 24-25, 2018
Lethbridge AB

Kasokowew Child Wellness Society Traditional Pow Wow

March 24, 2018
Maskwacis, AB

Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation School Pow Wow

April 21, 2018
Glenevis, AB

High Prairie Traditional Pow Wow

May 5, 2018
High Prairie, AB

Ben Calf Robe Traditional Pow Wow

May 12, 2018
Edmonton, AB

Peace River Competition Pow Wow

June 2-3, 2018
Peace River, AB

Grande Prairie Traditional Pow Wow

June 16-17, 2018
Grande Praire, AB

Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society Traditional Pow Wow

June 16, 2018
Calgary, AB

Waskasoo Seepee Traditional Pow Wow

June 21, 2018
Red Deer, AB

Sturgeon Lake Traditional Pow Wow

June 22-24, 2018
Valleyview, AB

Saddle Lake Cree Nation Competition Pow Wow

June 22-24, 2018
Saddle Lake, AB

Heritage Park Calgary Pow Wow

June 22, 2018
Calgary, AB

2018 Aboriginal Day Celebration Mini Competition Powwow

June 22, 2018
Stony Plain, AB

Fort McKay First Nation Traditional Pow Wow

June 23, 2018
Fort McMurray, AB

Banff Iniskim Cross Cultural Pow Wow

June 29-30, 2018
Banff, AB

Beaver Lake Cree Nation Annual Competition Pow Wow

June 29-July 1, 2018
Lac La Biche, AB

Ermineskin Cree Nation Traditional Pow Wow

July 6-8, 2018
Makwacis, AB

Alexis Nakota Sioux Pow Wow

July 6-8, 2018
Glenevis, AB

Enoch Cree Nation Competition Pow Wow

July 13-15, 2018
Enoch, AB

Kainai Pow Wow

July 20-22, 2018
Standoff, AB

K-Days Pow Wow

July 24-26, 2018
Edmonton, AB

Tsuu t’ina Pow Wow

July 27-29, 2018
Bragg Creek, AB

Kehewin Annual Competition Pow Wow

August 3-5, 2018
Kehewin, AB

Poundmaker’s Lodge Treatment Centres Annual Pow Wow

August 4-5, 2018
St Albert, AB

Cardston – Kainai Powwow 2018

August 8, 2018
Cardston, AB

Samson Cree Nation Pow Wow

August 9-12, 2018
Maskwacis, AB

Samson Cree Nation Pow Wow

August 9-12, 2018
Maskwacis, AB

19th Annual Heart Lake First Nation Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Lac La Biche, AB

Driftpile Competition Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Driftpile, AB

Alexander First Nation Traditional Pow-Wow

August 22-23, 2019
Morinville, AB

Frog Lake Competition Pow Wow

August 24-26, 2018
Frog Lake, AB

Pine Lake Celebration of Culture Pow Wow

August 25, 2019
Red Deer, AB

National Indigenous Cultural Expo Competition Pow Wow

September 28-30, 2018
Edmonton, AB

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British Columbia

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Prince George Native friendship Center Pow Wow

January 24, 2018
Prince George, BC

Thompson River University Pow Wow

March 10-11, 2018
Kamloops, BC

Celebration of Traditions, Traditional Pow Wow

April 13-14, 2018
Osoyoos, BC

Narcisse Traditional Pow Wow

May 11-12, 2018
Lillooet, BC

Yakan Nukiy Traditional Pow Wow

May 19-20, 2018
Creston, BC

Celebrating Our Youth Pow Wow

May 19-21, 2018
Mount Currie, BC

Yvonne Basil 8th Memorial Pow Wow

June 1-3, 2018
The Shulus Arbour, BC

Lil’wat Celebrations Pow Wow

June 1-3, 2018
Mount Currie, BC

Spirit of the Peace Competition Pow Wow

June 8-10, 2018
Taylor, BC

34th Annual Chief William Fathers Day Traditional Pow Wow

June 15-17, 2018
Williams Lake, BC

2018 Kootenays National Aboriginal Day Festival

June 16, 2018
Windemere, BC

Songhees Traditional Pow Wow

June 21, 2018
Victoria, BC

St. Eugene Owners Celebration Pow Wow

June 24, 2018
Cranbrook, BC

Spirit of the People Pow Wow

June 29-July 1, 2018
Chilliwack, BC

Squamish Nation 31st Annual Youth Pow Wow 

July 13-15, 2018
West Vancouver, BC

Four Seasons Cultural Society Pow Wow

July 20-22, 2018
Penticton, BC

Canim Lake Traditional Pow Wow

July 20-22, 2018
Canim Lake, BC

Nlaka’pamux Nation Gathering and Pow Wow

July 26-29, 2018
Merritt, BC

Quw’utsun Intertribal Pow Wow

July 27-29, 2018
Duncan, BC

Kamloopa Pow Wow

August 3-5, 2018
Kamloops, BC

Skwlax Competition Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Chase, BC

Pow Wow Between the Lakes

August 17-19, 2018
Penticton, BC

Quesnel Tillicum Society 45th Annual Memorial Pow Wow

October 6-7, 2018
Quesnel, BC

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Saskatchewan

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“Honouring Our Children, Our Families” Traditional Powwow

March 24-25, 2018
Yorkton, SK

Willard Okanee Memorial Pow Wow

April 8-9, 2018
Thunderchild, SK

40th Annual First Nations University of Canada Powwow

April 21-22, 2018
Regina, SK

Atimiskakewak National Gathering Pow Wow

April 27, 2018
Moose Jaw, SK

Makwa Sahgaiehcan Competition Pow Wow

May 18-20, 2018
Loon Lake, SK

Canoe Lake Pow Wow

May 25-27, 2018
Canoe Lake, SK

First Nation University Traditional Pow Wow: Honouring Treaty 4 Graduates

June 6, 2018
Regina, SK

Pleasant Hill Community Traditional Pow Wow

June 15, 2018
Saskatoon, SK

WACA 7th Annual Traditional Pow Wow

June 16, 2018
Moose Jaw, SK

Revitalizing the Circle: Saskatoon’s First Two Spirit Powwow

June 16, 2018
Saskatoon, SK

Pwatisimowin Pow Wow

June 22, 2018
Saskatoon, SK

Sakimay First Nations Saskatchewan Competition Powwow

June 22-24, 2018
Grenfell, SK

Sturgeon Lake FN, SK. Competition Pow Wow

June 26-28, 2018
Sturgeon Lake, SK

George Gordon First Nation Pow Wow

June 29-July 1, 2018
Punnichy, SK

Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Veterans Memorial Traditional Pow Wow

June 30-July 1, 2018
Leask, SK

Red Pheasant Pow Wow

July 3-5, 2018
Red Pheasant, BC

White Bear Competition Powwow

July 6-8, 2018
White Bear First Nation, SK

Fort-A-La-Corne Traditional Pow-Wow

July 13-15, 2018
James Smith Creek, SK

Kahkewistahaw First Nation Powwow

July 13-15, 2018
Broadview, SK

Back to Batoche Metis Days

July 19-22, 2018
Batoche, SK

Carry the Kettle First Nation Pow Wow

July 20-22, 2018
Sintaluta, SK

Thunderchild Pow Wow

July 27-29, 2018
Turtleford, SK

Beardys & Okemasis Traditional Pow Wow

July 27-29, 2018
Duck Lake, SK

Kawacatoose Competition Pow Wow

August 3-5, 2018
Raymore, SK

Muskoday First Nation Traditional Pow Wow

August 4-5, 2018
Muskoday, SK

Peepeekisis Traditional Powwow

August 8-9,2018
Peepeeksis, SK

Waterhen Lake Traditional Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Waterhen Lake, SK

Cowessess Traditional Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Broadview, SK

Moosomin Competition Pow Wow

August 17-19, 2018
Cochin, SK

Ochapowace First Nation Pow Wow

August 24-26, 2018
Whitewood, SK

Beardy & Okemasis Pow Wow

August 28-30, 2018
Duck Lake, SK

Pheasant Rump Nakota Competition Pow Wow

August 31-September 2, 2018
Kisbey, SK

Flying Dust First Nation Annual Pow Wow

September 1-2, 2018
Meadow Lake, SK

Spirit of our Nations Cultural Celebration & Pow Wow

October 26-28, 2018
Saskatoon, SK

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Manitoba

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Dakota Nation Winterfest Competition Pow Wow

January 26-28, 2018
Brandon, MB

University of Winnipeg Graduation Pow Wow

March 17, 2018
Winnipeg, MB

Manito Ahbee Competition Pow Wow

May 19-20, 2018
Winnipeg MB

2nd Annual Two-Spirit Pow Wow

June 2, 2018
Winnipeg, MB

Treaty Day Traditional Pow Wow

June 16-17, 2018
Lake Manitoba, MB

Swan Lake Competition Pow Wow

June 29-July 1, 2018
Swan Lake, MB

Shoal Lake Winter Pow Wow

February 17-18, 2018
Shoal Lake, MB

Skownan First Nation Pow Wow

July 14-15, 2018
Skownan, MB

Peguis First Nation Annual Treaty Days & Pow Wow

July 14-22, 2018
Peguis, MB

Dakota Oyate Wacipi, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation

July 20-22, 2018
Sioux Valley, MB

Rolling River First Nation Traditional Pow Wow

July 21-22, 2018
Rolling River First Nation, MB

Ada Wilson “Grey Cloud Woman” Pow Wow

July 3-August 2, 2018
Koostatak, MB

Waywayseecappo First Nation Traditional Pow Wow

August 3-5, 2018
Rossburn, MB

Long Plain Annual Celebration & Pow Wow

August 3-5, 2018
Portage la Prairie, MB

Piikani Nation Powwow and Celebration

August 3-5, 2018
Brocket, MB

Canupawakpa Dakota Oyate Wacipi Competition Pow Wow

August 3-5, 2018
Pipestone, MB

Pukatawagan Pow Wow

August 6-8, 2018
Pukatawagan, MB

5th Annual Norway House Cree Nation Competition Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Winnipeg, MB

O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation Traditional Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Crane River, MB

Brokenhead Treaty Days and Pow Wow

August 10-12, 2018
Scanterbury, MB

Opaskwayak Cree Nation Traditional Pow Wow

August 11-12, 2018
Opaskwayak Ininewi Aski, MB

Ebb and Flow First Nation 22nd Annual Traditional Pow Wow

August 17-19, 2018
Ebb and Flow, MB

Sandy Bay First Nation Traditional Pow Wow

August 24-26, 2018
Sandy Bay First Nation, MB

Misipawistik Oskatisak 11th Annual Competition Pow Wow

September 1-2, 2018
Grand Rapids, MB

14th Annual Opikihiwawin Traditional Pow Wow

September 8, 2018
Winnipeg, MB

MMIW Red Dress Pow Wow

October 6, 2018
Winnipeg, MB

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Ontario

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Embody the Spirit Powwow – Masters Indigenous Games

July 15, 2018
Mississauga, ON

Scogog Annual Pow Wow

July 21-22, 2018
Port Perry, ON

Grand River Champion of Champions Powwow

July 27-29, 2018
Six Nations, ON

Wiikwemkoong 58th Annual Cultural Festival

August 4-6, 2018
Manitoulin Island, ON

Constance Lake Pow Wow

Aug 10-12, 2018
Constance Lake, ON

Genaabaajing Powwow

August 10-12, 2018
Cutler, ON

Tyendinaga Pow Wow

August 11-12, 2018
Tyendinaga, ON

Neyaashiinigmiing Annual Traditional Pow Wow 2018

August 17-19, 2018
Cape Croker Park, ON

Mattagami First Nation Annual Traditional Pow Wow

August 18-19, 2018
Gogama, ON

Rama First Nation Annual Pow Wow

August 25-26, 2018
Rama, ON

Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow

August 25-26, 2018
Hagersville, ON

Silver Lake 24th Annual Traditional Pow Wow

August 25-26, 2018
Maberly, ON

Batchewana First Nation Annual Pow Wow

Sault Ste. Marie, ON
August 31-Sep 2, 2018

Nipissing First Nation Pow Wow

Sturgeon Falls, ON
Sep 1-2, 2018

Akwesasne International PowWow

Sep 8-9, 2018
Cornwall Island, ON

Georgian Bay Friendship Centre 18th Annual Pow Wow

Sept 8-9, 2018
Midland, ON

Annual Native Harvest Festival and Pow Wow

Sep 15-16, 2018
London, ON

St. Paul’s 15th Annual Traditional Pow Wow

Sep 22, 2018
Waterloo, ON

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Quebec

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Kitigan Zibi Traditional Pow Wow

June 2-3, 2018
Maniwaki, QC

Pikogan Pow Wow

June 9-10, 2018
Pikogan, QC

Ekuanitshit Pow Wow

June 21, 2018
Mingan, QC

Wendake International Pow Wow

June 29-July 1, 2018
Wendake, QC

Abenaki Pow Wow Odanak

July 6-8, 2018
Odanak, QC

Great Gathering of First Nations (Pow wow) of Mashteuiatsh

July 13-15, 2018
Mashteuiatsh, QC

Kahnawake Pow Wow: Echoes of a Proud Nation

July 14-15, 2018
Kahnawake, QC

Pow-Wow Essipit

July 19-22, 2018
Essipit, QC

Pow-Wow Lac Simon

July 21-July 22, 2018
Lac-Simon, QC

Opitciwan Pow Wow

July 28-29, 2018
Opitciwan, QC

Pow-Wow Manawan

August 3-5, 2018
Manawan, QC

Chisasibi Traditionnal Pow Wow

August 3-5, 2018
Chisasibi, QC

Listuguj Pow Wow

August 4-5, 2018
Listuguj, QC

Mawiomi Gespeg

August 9, 2018
Gaspé, QC

Cacouna Festival Deux nations, Une Fête

August 11-12, 2018
Cacouna, QC

Pessamit Pow Wow

August 11-12, 2018
Betsiamites, QC

Wemindji Traditional Pow Wow

August 11-12, 2018
Wemindji, QC

Mistissini Pow Wow

August 17-19, 2018
Mistissini, QC

Wôlinak Pow Wow

August 24-26, 2018
Wôlinak, QC

Timiskaming First Nation 16th Annual Traditional Pow Wow

August 24-26, 2018
Notre-Dame-du-Nord, QC

Kanehsatake Traditional Pow Wow

August 25-26, 2018
Kanesatake, QC

Wemotaci Pow Wow

September 1-2, 2018
Wemotaci, QC

McGill Annual Pow Wow

September 21, 2018
Montreal, QC

Waskaganish Pow Wow

September 21-23, 2018
Waskaganish, QC

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New Brunswick

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Eel Ground First Nation ― Natoaganeg Powwow

July 19-22, 2018
Eel Ground, NB

Annual Elsipogtog First Nation Pow Wow

August 31 – Sept 2, 2018
Big Cove, NB

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Nova Scotia

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Millbrook First Nation Competition Powwow

August 10-12, 2018
Millbrook, NS

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Newfoundland & Labrador

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Bay St. George Mi’Kmaq Pow Wow

July 14-16, 2018
Bay St. George, NL

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Are we missing a Pow wow in your community? Let us know on our Facebook page and we’ll add it to this list!

Dené Sinclair

Dené Sinclair

Dené Sinclair was ITAC's Director of Marketing. She lives and works in Winnipeg on Treaty 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis Nation. She acknowledges her traditional homeland around Selkirk, Manitoba (St. Peter’s Band) as a member of Peguis First Nation and a proud Anishinaabekwe.