The Grande Prairie Traditional Pow-Wow returns to Evergreen Park on June 20 through 22, 2026, inviting the whole community to experience a weekend of Indigenous culture, dance, and food at no cost. Hosted by the Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services, the event takes place inside the TARA Energy Services Centre and marks both National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 and the anniversary of the signing of Treaty 8 on the same date in 1899.
Walter White, who founded the pow-wow in 2017 and now chairs the organizing committee, said the gathering has grown from a modest idea into one of northwestern Alberta’s most significant cultural celebrations. GPACOS is a volunteer-led inter-agency group that works to strengthen Indigenous services in the region.
Visitors can expect two days of Grand Entry ceremonies, intertribal dancing, and drumming competitions. The program also includes a hand games tournament, a Métis jigging contest, a Princess Pageant, and an Indigenous market where local vendors will sell traditional food and crafts. Pipe ceremonies, a traditional feast, and a give-away ceremony are planned as part of ongoing Truth and Reconciliation efforts, with the goal of supporting Indigenous children, youth, and families.
The free, all-ages event is supported by the County of Grande Prairie through roughly $32,650 in annual facility funding, along with contributions from community sponsors. Drum groups and dancers from across North America are expected to take part. Evergreen Park is located at 55051 Township Road 710 in the County of Grande Prairie, and the TARA Energy Services Centre offers 115,000 square feet of adaptable space, making it one of the region’s premier large-scale venues.
More details and a full schedule can be found on Evergreen Park’s website and through the Northwest Aboriginal Interagency Committees.
