There’s no better way to get to know Nevada’s cultural identity than the beloved Stewart Indian Pow Wow, held in the heart of Nevada’s Capital City each summer. American Indian dancers, drummers, artists, and craftsmen from all across the northwestern Nevada region have gathered at the historic Stewart Indian School every June since 1990 to celebrate their tribal heritage while honoring their spirits and ancestors. Throughout two days of festivities, get in on all kinds of dancing, arts and crafts, food, and stories from the hundreds of tribal representatives that are part of Stewart’s alumni.
The Stewart Indian School campus comes alive each summer for one of Carson City’s biggest annual events, featuring hundreds of dancers, dozens of makers, Indian Tacos, Stewart School alumni recognition, and more.
Until 1980, Nevada’s sole off-reservation Indian boarding school was a mandatory chapter in the life stories of thousands of American Indian adolescents. Hear their stories at the recently opened Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum, which stands as a monument to the students’ strength and ability to carry their cultures forward. Outside the museum on Stewart grounds, witness (or join in) on the Father’s Day Powwow events with spectacular music and dancing. More than 200 beautifully-costumed dancers showcase their cultural pride through live dance performances, along with traditional singing and drumming.
Admission to the Carson City Powwow is free. After hourly performances, peruse more than two dozen traditional maker booths, then get your fill of fresh Indian Tacos.
