The Bnakwi Gises Contest Pow Wow returns to Island Resort & Casino Convention Center in Harris on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 with dance competitions, drumming and a singing contest.

The Hannahville Indian Community hosts the two-day event during Native American Heritage Month. The tribe’s official event listing confirms the dates and venue.

Dustin J. Meshigaud, culture historian for the Hannahville Indian Community, told WLUC that his cultural work looks ahead to the next seven generations.

Molly Meshigaud, manager of the community’s Department of Culture, Language and History, said cultural practices remain part of daily life. “We still practice our culture and our language and our way of life every day,” she told WLUC.

Contest details

The event includes dance competitions spanning age groups from juniors (ages 6-12) through platinum (ages 65 and older), according to the event’s calendar listing. Listed styles include traditional, woodland and fancy, along with men’s grass and women’s jingle.

First place in the singing contest pays $10,000, second place $8,000 and third place $6,000, according to the calendar listing.

Grand entries are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 and noon on Nov. 22, according to the tribe’s event listing.

Tony Hilliker and Ruben Little Head will serve as emcees. Ray Cadotte is head veteran, and Allan Klein is arena director, according to the calendar listing.

Potawatomi history in the U.P.

The Hannahville Indian Community’s history identifies the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa as members of the Three Fires Confederacy and describes the Potawatomi as keepers of the Sacred Fire.

The people of Hannahville descend from those who refused to leave Michigan during forced removal in 1834, according to the tribal history. Some returned to Michigan in 1853 and settled along the Big Cedar River. Congress purchased 3,400 acres for the Hannahville Potawatomi in 1913, the history says.

Upcoming community events

  • Bnakwi Gises Contest Pow Wow: Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 at Island Resort & Casino Convention Center, W399 U.S. Highway 2 & 41, Harris. For vendor information, contact Dustin Meshigaud at 906-280-7672. For additional details, contact Molly Meshigaud at 906-399-1875, according to the tribe’s event listing.