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Borne of backyard powwows in the 1940s, the Tulsa Powwow Club continues to share Native culture with Tulsans as the sponsor of the annual Tulsa Powwow.
The Tulsa Powwow has been a part of the Anquoe family tradition for more than 50 years.
Kenneth Anquoe began hosting powwows in the back yard of his in-laws’ house in the 1947. At that time, an official local outlet did not exist for American Indian tribes to celebrate their heritage.
“Back then, if you weren’t white, you weren’t popular,” says Robert Anquoe, Kenneth’s nephew. “It was a sign of the times in the ‘40s and ‘50s. It was important to carry on traditions and also educate the general public of Indian tradition.”
Kenneth Anquoe, founder of the Tulsa Powwow Club, held the first Tulsa Powwow in 1952. Tulsa seemed to be an ideal location for the inter-tribal powwow because three tribes surround the area: the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek) and Osage nations and northeast Oklahoma encompasses over 12 tribes within a 100 mile radius.
Today, the Tulsa Powwow continues many traditions from the original event. One of those traditions is the give-away, which honors a person, act or event. One such giveaway honors the powwow princess, who is chosen based on interviews, a dance and her regalia representing her tribe.
The powwow carries on other traditions as well, including a drum performance, dance and singing. Each event also includes a new element. The 2009 event included women’s fancy feather dancers. The 2010 event will include a tribute to Redbone, a 1970s Native American rock band.
Nicole Peak, vice chairwoman of TIC and Anquoe’s cousin, says people should visit the powwow because “it is a great time” and features not only these traditional events but also authentic Indian food.
However, the TIC does not exist solely for the purpose of the powwow.
Peak says the mission of the organization is to bring other organizations and American Indian communities together to promote cultural awareness and awareness of health, education and economic development issues affecting the Native American community.
TIC has about 100 card-carrying members ranging from 10 to 70 years old. Members also range in background. Club officers alone represent the Kiowa, Muscogee (Creek), Pawnee, Cherokee, Chickasaw and Yankton Dakota Sioux tribes.
Community involvement is another major component of TIC. In May the group held the Day-Ohn-Day 5K run and in November will host the Native Fall Music Fest with a World Championship Frybread Cook-off. At the July 13 Tulsa Shock basketball game, TIC will sponsor a Native American Night.
Robert Anquoe says his uncle advised him about being involved in the community.
“Reach out to your community,” he recalls him saying. “You can’t just sit back and be there … you have to make that effort to go out and say, ‘I want to be a part of your group.’”
July 16-18 — 58th Annual Tulsa Powwow. SpiritBank Event Center 10441 S. Regal Blvd., Bixby. Sponsored by Tulsa Indian Club. Call 671-2417 for more information.
