The first Thanksgiving observance in the Americas featured newly arrived European settlers inviting the native Indians to break bread.
Over 400 years later, the Indians of Alabama keep returning the invitation.
Thousands of Alabama folks, and many from out of state, are expected to accept that invitation and journey to Atmore in southern Alabama, just off Interstate 65. There, they will see signage pointing to Alabama’s only federally recognized tribe.
Alabama’s Poarch Creek Indians will host their 52nd annual Pow Wow on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. The two-day event is one of the nation’s most colorful and unique Thanksgiving traditions.
Activities begin with a 5K Turkey Trot at 7 a.m. Thanksgiving Day. All other activities begin at 10 a.m. Thursday and Friday.
The activities involved in a pow-wow have changed over the centuries. The present-day version has family-friendly activities for all ages. It is both a showcase of tribal traditions and interactive events, especially for visiting children.
The spirited Indian dance competitions are favorites of both spectators and tribal dancers. They feature different styles of dance divided by age categories and male and female divisions. The dancers are costumed in authentic regalia.
The tribe puts on its own version of the Miss Alabama pageant – the annual crowning of Poarch Creek Indian princesses. For the next year, the princesses will serve as ambassadors for the tribe at tribal gatherings and public events across the United States.
Contrast the large Alabama gathering to the quiet first American Thanksgiving in 1621. An estimated 100 Wampanoag Indians accepted the invitation to sup with 52 English settlers in what later became Plymouth, Mass. At the present-day gathering, you will see hundreds of Creek Indians hosting thousands of visitors on their reservation.
The first Thanksgiving hosts were on land belonging to the Wampanoag tribe. The guest Indians were actually on their own land while enjoying the hospitality of the settlers.
Alabama’s Thanksgiving Pow Pow also serves as a homecoming for members of the tribe who have moved afar. They return home to the reservation to renew friendship and kinship with their tribal brother and sisters.
2024 is the 52nd anniversary of Alabama’s version of the Thanksgiving Pow Wow. It began in 1971 as a homecoming celebration for tribal members. Over the years, the tribe extended invitations to friends and neighbors, and the Pow Wow grew.
Why hold the annual Pow Wow on Thanksgiving? There is the precedent of the 1621 Plymouth dinner. It was not called “Thanksgiving” until much later. And it was not a Pow Pow, being hosted by the Europeans rather than by the Indians. And they were not yet called “Indians” or “Native Americans.” The location was not yet called “Plymouth.” All those names were ascribed later, by the writers of history.
November is Native American Heritage Month, so the Thanksgiving Pow Pow is an opportunity to educate the public about the Poarch Creek Tribe and raise awareness of its role in Alabama life.
Visitors to the Pow Wow can purchase Indian crafts and goods made by tribal artisans and vendors. They can also purchase festival foods, including barbeque, oak wood fire-roasted corn (maize), buffalo burgers, ham and fried chicken.
On Thursday, there will also be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and dressing.
Admission is $15 for both days and $10 for one day. Kids six and under are admitted free. Craft and food purchases are not included in the admission price.
To learn more, visit here.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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