This March, the sound of the drums will fill the Winthrop Coliseum as the Catawba Nation Powwow welcomes visitors from across the Carolinas and beyond. For three days, Rock Hill becomes a gathering place where tradition, culture, and community come together in powerful and meaningful ways.
For the Catawba people, the Powwow is far more than a public event.
“To me, the Powwow means connection—connection to our ancestors, our relatives, and our future,” says Laney Buckley, Director of Community Engagement for the Catawba Nation. “It’s a time when we come together as a community, honor our elders and veterans, and celebrate who we are through song, dance, food, and fellowship.”
Councilman Quinlan Canty echoes that same perspective.
“The Powwow means connection,” Canty says. “It brings us together to honor our elders and veterans and celebrate who we are as a people.”
Powwow Committee Chair Beth Rodgers adds that it is also a time of unity among nations.
“It’s a time when our families and other Tribal Nations come together in unity to strengthen our relationships and honor our shared traditions.”
A Culture You Experience With All Your Senses
“Native culture isn’t just information, it’s a lived experience,” Canty explains. “When visitors come to a Powwow they hear the drum, see the regalia move, taste the food, meet the people, and feel the respect in the circle. That kind of understanding can’t fully come from a book.”
“Seeing living traditions shows that Native nations are still here, still growing, and still practicing their ways today,” Buckley says. “Being there in person helps people learn with their senses, their hearts, and their minds.” “You can hear and feel the beat of the drum in your chest, see the intricate beadwork and beautiful regalia up close, and watch stories come to life through dance,” Rogers says.
The Power of Grand Entry
“Grand Entry formally opens the Powwow and brings everyone together in a unified, respectful way,” Buckley explains. “It honors the host nation, visiting tribes, veterans, elders, drum groups, and dancers.”
“This is a time when we honor our Veterans, Dignitaries, Royalty, and all dancers as they enter the arena,” Rogers adds.
Keeping Culture Alive
“Powwows help keep Native culture alive by creating a living space where traditions are practiced, taught, and shared across generations,” Canty explains.
“They show the wider public that Native cultures are still here today,” Buckley says.
Building Understanding in York County
“This event helps build understanding by bringing people together face-to-face in a respectful, shared space,” Canty says. “
The Powwow is more than an event because it’s a way to showcase who we are on a public platform while also letting everyone know… we are still here. Kuriihare.”
Plan Your Visit: Catawba Nation Powwow
WHERE: Winthrop Coliseum, Rock Hill, South Carolina
WHEN: March 13–15
TIME:
Grand Entry: Doors open two hours before each Grand Entry Friday 7 PM Saturday 12 PM and 7 PM Sunday 1 PM
COST:
Children: 0-5 FREE
YOUTH: 6-17 $5
ADULTS: 18-54 $10
SENIORS: 55+ $5
MILITARY: W/ID $5
Weekend Pass: $25
Catawba Tribal Members get in for half price with ID only
