Celebrate Native American heritage at 44th Annual Pow Wow in Dorseyville
There is nothing quite like celebrating with your community and being able to share your culture with your neighbors. Whether it's music and dancing, arts and crafts, or an abundance of delicious food, cultural gatherings offer community building, entertainment, and knowledge sharing.
This weekend, the Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center (COTRAIC) will give visitors the opportunity for all of these wonderful signifiers of celebration during their 44th Annual Pow Wow. This family-friendly event will feature Native American singing, drumming, and dancing as well as arts and crafts and Native foods.
According to Russ Simms, a member of COTRAIC, Pow Wows are a “display of many Native cultures” and “interaction with non-native cultures,” which can be educational and cultivate connections between everyone who takes part.
Located just north of Pittsburgh in Dorseyville, the center serves the region’s Native American community as well as others experiencing economic difficulties. COTRAIC was founded in 1969 and officially became a non-profit organization in Pennsylvania in 1972. According to their website, their founders saw that as Native American families, they felt alienated and isolated from the mainstream population in Allegheny County and surrounding areas. Forming COTRAIC, their mission became to preserve their Native culture and values and provide that same opportunity to other Native people.
The 44th Annual Pow Wow is a great place to see a glimpse of Native American heritage, and neighbors of all cultures are welcome to experience the celebration. For those unfamiliar with the culture, activities will be explained, especially regarding filming and photography, so that everyone can enjoy and participate. Alongside the performances and visual art, there will be Native American vendors and dancers, and — one of the most exciting elements — competitive dancing with prize money up to $10,000.
COTRAIC 44th Annual Pow Wow. Sat., Sept. 23-Sun., Sept. 24. Council of Three Rivers American Indian Center. 120 Charles St., Dorseyville. $4-6. (Group rates are available.) For more information, visit cotraic.org.