Tonkawa Tribe is holding their 48th annual powwow in remembrance of the 138th anniversary of the arrival of the Tonkawa at Fort Oakland. The Tonkawa Tribe Powwow will be held from Fri., June 23 to Sun., June 25.

The Tonkawa Tribe uses this celebration as a reminder of the trail of tears and the suffering their ancestors had to endure to arrive at Fort Oakland. This annual tradition, held in the last week of June, represents a time in their history that they will never forget and features a number of important activities to the Tonkawa Tribe. These include tribal dances, princess crossings, contests, crafts, artwork, food, and tournaments throughout the weekend.

The events will begin Friday morning with the raising of the flag at 7 am, followed by a 3 on 3 basketball tournament at 9 am. At 7 pm. They will commence the powwow with tribal introductions and invocations for the “Year of the Woman.” Dances, coronations, and other events will happen throughout the night.

Saturday morning at 7 am they will raise the veterans flag and will begin the honored Warrior’s Run, followed by the Charles Star Horseshoe Tournament at 9 am. Saturday at 3 pm, the Gourd Dancing will begin, along with the Veteran’s honors, dinner, the Tonkawa Scalp Dance at 8 pm, and the Parade in, soldier dance, and war dance beginning at 9 pm.

Sunday, the flag will again be raised at 7 am, followed by a Disc Golf Tournament at 8 am. At 3 pm, gourd dancing and head staff specials will begin, Tournament winners will be announced at 5 pm, gourd dance and flag lowering will commence at 6 pm, the powwow committee special begins at 7 pm, and the two step ladies choice and the war dancing will begin at 8 pm.

Those in attendance will be able to experience the true culture and soak in the history of the Tonkawa Tribe during this incredible event. There will be free parking and admittance, as well as free camping on site. This event is located 1.5 miles southeast of the city of Tonkawa off of I-35 in the Ft. Oakland community. Details and agendas are available on the Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma Facebook page.

The following is a schedule of events during the course of the weekend: Friday, June 23

• 7:00 am - Flag raising

• 9:00 am - 3-on-3 Basketball tournament

• 7:00 pm - Tribal introductions and Invocation “Year of the Woman”

• 7:30 pm - Flag lowering/ Gourd Dancing

• 8:00 pm - Princess Coronation/ Past Princess introductions/ round dance

• 8:30 pm - introductions Head Staff/ initiates - new dancers/ children/War Dance - Intertribals/ PowWow

• Friday Contests include Tiny Tots (Ages 0-6), Junior Boys (7-16) and Junior Girls (7-16) Saturday, June 24

• 7:00 am - Veterans Flag Larry Warrior USAF/Warrior’s Run

• 8:30 am - Charles Horseshoe Tourney - PowWow

• 9:30 am - Youth Games - Pow-Wow

• 3:00 pm - Gourd Dancing/ Veteran’s Honors/Henry L. Allen Family Special/Head Staff Specials • 4:45 pm - Veteran’s Flag lowering • 5:00 pm - Veteran’s Dinner for Encampment

• 6:30 pm - Gourd Dance

• 8:00 pm - Tonkawa Scalp Dance

• 9:00 pm - Parade In/Soldier Dance/War Dance - Intertribals/ PowWow

• Saturday Contests include Golden Seniors Women (65+), Norita Arkeketa Memorial Jingle (17+), Adult Women Buckskin (17-64), Adult Women Cloth (1764) Sunday, June 25

• 7:00 am - Flag Raising

• 8:00 am - Disc Golf Tournament - PowWow

• 3:00 pm - Gourd Dancing/ Head Staff Specials

• 5:00 pm - Announce tournament winners/Supper break

• 6:00 pm - Gourd Dancing/flag lowering

• 7:00 pm - PowWow Committee Special

• 8:00 pm - Two Step - Ladies Choice/War Dance - Intertribals/ PowWow Sunday Contests include Ribbon Skirt Contest, Golden Seniors Men (65+), Adult Men Straight (17-64), Traditional Chief Joseph Men Adult (17+), Adult Men Fancy (17-64).