The Native Cultural Circle’s 11th annual PowWow will showcase traditions, culture and customs in a truthful reflection of Tennessee native people. Songs, dance, drums, regalia, arts and crafts are all part of this Native Culture celebration.

The public is invited to attend the Native American Cultural Circle’s 11th annual Inter-Tribal Powwow on October 11-12. The powwow will be held at the campgrounds outside Port Royal State Park, Hwy 238 Port Royal Road. The gate opens Saturday at 9 a.m. and the powwow will continue until 6 p.m.  On Sunday, the PowWow runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when the “The Retiring of the Colors” ends the event.

The Trail of Tears March Commemorative Re-Enactment will kick-off the powwow opening. Activities will then focus on the powwow grounds site starting with “The Posting of The Colors.”

The powwow host drum is the White Horse Singers of Alabama. Traditional songs and dance will be featured both days. All native drums are welcome. There will be Native arts and crafts as well as clothing vendors along with food and drinks vendors. The public is invited to come share in Native American culture, foods and shop the various arts and crafts. There will be also a silent auction and Native grown organic popcorn will be on sale.

Bring your lawn chairs, wear comfortable shoes and enjoy the dancing. Pet dogs will be allowed onto the grounds, but must be on a leash at all times. For everyone’s enjoyment of the grounds, we ask you to please police your animal’s droppings. Refuse stations are available on site.

Admission is Adults (16 to 59 years of age), $5; Children 15 and under, Free; Seniors (60 years of age and up), $2. Active-Duty military with Military ID-FREE.

Directions to the Powwow: Take I-24 West, at Exit 11, Turn Right onto Hwy 76E. From Nashville: Right on Old Clarksville Springfield Rd, Left on Hwy 238/Port Royal Road. From Clarksville: Left on Old Clarksville Springfield Road. Left on Hwy 238/Port Royal Road. Parking on the powwow grounds is free. There will be designated areas for the handicapped and motorcycles.

For more information, contact: Paul Slaughter- 931-358-4187 or email: ; “Red” Kirby, 931-368-1246 or email: .

The Trail of Tears Commemorative Day will lead off the Native Cultural Circle’s annual Inter-Tribal PowWow. The Port Royal site is the only remaining uncovered segment of the original trail in Tennessee.

October 11 and 12th. Mark your calendars. The second weekend of October is just around the corner. That means the Native Cultural Circle’s Inter-Tribal PowWow is here. Every year the group hosts the annual two-day powwow as a means of educating the general public about Tennessee’s native peoples traditions, culture and customs.

Clarksville is blessed, in that the powwow site has truly historic significance, because it is staged adjacent to last remaining uncovered segment of the Trail of Tears in Tennessee. The land is included in the Port Royal State Historic Park, where the quiet beauty of the area is well suited to the occasion.

This year’s PowWow will feature traditional songs and dance; host drum is the White Horse Singers, along with 18 vendors, a silent auction, and native grown organic popcorn. All drums and the general public are welcome.

Last year, a commemorative walk celebrated the National Parks Service designating the trail segment as an authentic Trail of Tears site. Over 100 native people turned out for the walk, many wearing native regalia. State and local government officials spoke at the observance acknowledging the solemnity of the occasion and its truthful place in American history. Park Ranger David Britton greeted Native American leaders and elders, exchanged flags and read a state proclamation. Representatives from the Tennessee Indian Commission and Montgomery County government also participated in the ceremony.

Port Royal Park Ranger David Britton

Park Ranger David Britton announced Wednesday that the National Parks Service has now designated Port Royal State Park as an official Trail of Tears Historic Park. For this year’s powwow celebration, on Saturday, October 11th, at 10 AM, there will be a re-enactment of the march through the town of Port Royal. There will also be re-enactments of 1830’s domestic skills and medicine. Visitors will be able to sample the foods the Native Americans were actually provided during their encampment. Additionally, guided historical tours throughout the park will be conducted and there will be exhibits on the Trail of Tears and the Town of Port Royal. When visitors have completed their tour of the park, they are encouraged to come over to the Inter-Tribal Powwow Grounds and continue their discovery of Tennessee’s Native peoples culture.

For more information on the Trail of Tears Commemorative Day, contact Port Royal State Park Office, 931-358-9696. The park office is located at 3300 Old Clarksville-Springfield Road.

Native Americans arrive at Port Royal (2007 Festival photo)

The Trail of Tears Commemorative Walk will again be part of the Clarksville Native Cultural Circle’s Inter-Tribal Pow Wow. The pow wow, held annually on the second weekend in October, takes place at compound grounds in Port Royal. Native American heritage, culture, traditions and music are acknowledged in this local cultural celebration. Young and old, native and non-native are all welcome at this Clarksville community event.

Final preparations are underway for the Pow Wow. This Native American culture and fellowship event offers the general public an opportunity for education about Native American heritage, culture, customs, music, traditions and history. Traditional regalia, music and dances celebrating that history and heritage are part and parcel to pow wows.

Like all festivals, vendors will offer refreshments. There will be food centered around Native American dietary customs. Also, vendors will offer authentic arts and crafts, as well as clothing, jewelry and artifacts for sale.

The NCC is an historical education non-profit organization and receives no government financial support for staging this event. All funding is the result of the group’s members seeking sponsors, donations and contributions, which are appreciated and tax deductible. Sponsor opportunities are available. Individuals, organizations and local businesses are encouraged to show their support for this local cultural celebration.

Proceeds from the Pow-Wow are used to purchase Native American textbooks which are donated to area school libraries. Submit email requests for sponsorship forms to: . All forms must be returned no later than September 20th.