The beating of drums will carry across Fayetteville on Sept. 6 as the Running Water Powwow welcomes the public for a full day of Native song, dance, and cultural celebration.
The annual event, held at 200 Indian Drive, blends tradition with contemporary expression. Organizers say it offers a chance to celebrate Indigenous heritage while inviting the community to learn about the values of a tradition that carries honor, respect and generosity.
“Powwows bring people together across generations,” “It’s a time to celebrate who we are and to invite others to share in that spirit,” said master of ceremonies JD Moore.
A Living Tradition
Gates will open at 8 a.m., with dancing beginning at noon. Admission is $10 per person, with free parking available. The powwow is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to partake in food, arts, crafts and demonstrations throughout the day.
This year’s head staff includes Moore as MC, Houston Locklear as arena director, Breana Certain as head lady dancer, Bostic Locklear as head man dancer, and Raymond A. Clark as head judge. Merciless Soundz, led by Rarehyihyaks John Wesley, will provide sound, while the Pine Lodge Singers will host the drum.
Competitions include Southern Straight vs. Southern Cloth for dancers 18 and up, an All Style Jingle Dress Special for ages 16 and older, and an Adult vs. Youth Men’s Traditional Spotlight. A highly anticipated drum contest will bring top groups from across the region.
“These contests aren’t just about winning,” said Locklear, who is also the arena director. “They’re about skill, pride and honoring tradition.”
From Dance to Gathering
The modern powwow can be traced back to the early 19th century. During the reservation era, many Indigenous ceremonies were banned. The Grass Dance, which carried a more social nature, was one of the few practices allowed. As tribes were forced together, it became essential to share songs, dances, clothing and food across nations.
This exchange gave rise to “intertribalism,” a cultural blending that continues to shape powwows today. Gift giving and generosity emerged as central values of these gatherings, principles that remain at the heart of the tradition.
By the mid-20th century, the term “powwow” had been adapted from a Narragansett word meaning “meeting” and had become widely used to describe these cultural events. In recent decades, there has been a revival of even older traditions. Large competition powwows have added new categories that reflect historic forms of dance and regalia, hoping to renew interest in the earliest practices.
“Regardless of the name, these gatherings are grounded in values shared by Native people across North America,” said Clark, head judge. “Respect, honor, tradition and generosity are what we celebrate every time the drum starts.”
More Than Performance
While the spotlight shines on dancers and drummers, the powwow grounds will also feature food vendors and artisans selling handmade items. Attendees can sample both traditional dishes and modern favorites, or browse beadwork, regalia and artwork from Native craftspeople.
For organizers, this marketplace is more than commerce. It sustains cultural knowledge, supports Indigenous artists, and provides an opportunity for visitors to connect directly with makers and tradition bearers.
“We want people to experience the richness of our culture in many forms,” said head lady dancer Certain. “The songs and dances are one way, but so are the foods, the art and the stories you hear from people here.”
The Powwow Trail
North Carolina hosts more than 20 powwows each year, ranging from small community gatherings to larger events organized by colleges or casinos. These events form part of a larger “powwow trail” across North America, where thousands of dancers, singers and vendors travel from gathering to gathering.
For many, the powwow circuit is a way to strengthen bonds across tribal nations, renew cultural practices, and create intergenerational ties.
“These events are both old and new,” said Moore. “They carry the traditions of our ancestors while also creating new memories for our children and grandchildren.”
All are Welcome
The Running Water Powwow is open to everyone, and organizers welcome first-time visitors.
“Powwows are about sharing,” Clark said. “We invite the community to come and learn, to celebrate with us, and to see that our culture is alive and thriving.”
With a lineup of competitions, cultural demonstrations and family-friendly activities, organizers expect a strong turnout.
“People will come for the songs and the dancing,” Locklear said. “But they’ll leave with a deeper sense of connection to culture, to community, and to one another.”

(Photo: Breana Certain is the Head Lady at the Running Water Powwow. Certain is a jingle dress dancer. On Facebook, Certain said: "I am honored to be the 2025 Head Lady Dancer at Running Water Powwow, and I am also hosting an 'All Style Jingle Special.' There are a lot of hardships and sacrifices that go into dancing this style, and my goal is to honor and recognize everyone that participates in having us and our dresses recognized. Tabutne (thank you)!" Photo courtesy of Running Water Powwow Facebook page)