Despite the downturn in the national economy in 2008, attendance at many pow wows in Indian country remains strong. Pow wow vendors, dancers and attendees have adjusted to spiraling fuel and food costs by simply choosing to stay closer to home.

Mike Ballard, coordinator of the Shawnee County Allied Tribes Annual Inter-Tribal Pow wow in Topeka, Kan., said the pow wow hasn’t yet been affected by the struggling economy. Attendance was actually up in 2008 from previous years.

The pow wow has been held at Lake Shawnee each Labor Day weekend for the past 18 years and includes various cultural and educational activities for youth. The pow wow benefits from strong local attendance and an accessible, central location. Northeast Kansas is home of the capital city, Haskell Indian Nations University and the four major tribes of Kansas.

In Oklahoma, pow wow coordinator Tina Stroud said attendance was also up at the 2008 Cherokee Gourd Society’s 17th Annual Christmas Pow wow in Tahlequah. She estimated attendance at about 500 for the one-day event.

“It was really a great turnout,” said Stroud, coordinator for the past 13 years. “It was up from last year.”

She described the annual Christmas gathering as a mixed traditional and contest pow wow. Stroud said the pow wow benefited from strong, “wall-to-wall” support of local vendors. “They wanted to stay close

to home.”

Other pow wows have felt the stress of the economy a bit more.

“Financially, it’s down from other years,” said Sue Langlais, coordinator of the 3rd Annual Spirit People Inter-Tribal Family Fall Pow wow in Odessa, Fla. “People aren’t buying as much. We’re not losing money, but we’re not making

money either.”

Though the number of vendors and dancers was down, Langlais said attendance held steady.

Langlais also travels the pow wow circuit as a vendor of handmade crafts and jewelry. When gas hovered around $4 a gallon in most parts of the country, Langlais said she chose to limit her travels to her home base of Florida.

Pow wow chairman Gene Caldwell also reported a slight increase in attendance at the 42nd Annual Menominee Nation Contest Pow wow in Keshena, Wis. July 31 – Aug. 3; but some changes may be forthcoming.

Caldwell said the bulk of the pow wow’s budget comes from sponsors and the biggest sponsor is the tribal casino. The pow wow also relies heavily on support from tribal volunteers. In 2008, the pow wow awarded $90,000 in prize money. “Sponsorships are down this year,” he said. “We may need to increase gate fees. Hopefully, the economy will take a turn for the better.”

Gate fees at the Menominee pow wow are currently $5 dollars a day or $10 for a weekend pass. Seniors 55 and older are admitted free.

Lloyd Powless, pow wow committee chairman of the 36th Annual Oneida Pow wow in Wisconsin, said the number of vendors at the July pow wow was down, but support from local vendors remained strong. Powless said the pow wow attracts 6,000 to 8,000 people annually. “Overall, we’re pretty happy. I don’t see any

problems yet.”

So, why do some pow wows flourish and others flounder?

Whether in good or stressful economic times, these seasoned pow wow coordinators all emphasize the need for early planning and assembling a good head staff and coordinating committee.

Stroud said one of the problems she’s seen is a lack of communication. She starts laying the groundwork and delegating responsibilities for the Christmas dance in August. Without the dependable crew she’s assembled, Stroud said the pow wow would probably fall apart.

Langlais agreed; “You’ve got to have all your ducks in a row.”

Dave Reese learned this lesson first-hand. Reese is a first-time pow wow organizer and the head of the Florida Chapter Veteran’s Honor Society. Reese said the economic downturn definitely played a role when the VFW Veteran’s Retirement Home, the host location of the Fort McCoy Powwow, cancelled due to financial concerns. Organizers of the pow wow on the Six Directions Traders Web site said they would have contracts drawn up for future pow wows they’re involved in coordinating. Reese said the pow wow was to have raised funds for a new wing for women veterans at the home.

Despite the economy, Reese said he would try again to organize the fundraising pow wow in the future – this time with better planning and organization.

Powless said planning for the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, Inc. pow wow begins in January. “It takes a lot of coordination and work.” He has served as pow wow committee chairman for the Oneida Tribe for some 20 years and offers this advice for those who may be struggling to organize or keep a pow wow viable: “Pick a successful pow wow. Contact their committee and get their guidance.”

Ballard said Shawnee County Allied Tribes begins working with potential sponsors a year in advance. Most of the $30,000 annual budget is covered by sponsorships, admissions fees, gifts and local grants. This local support has enabled pow wow organizers to keep admissions fees constant for 15 years.

Admission buttons are sold for $6 in advance and $8 at the gate. The buttons are good for festivities over the entire weekend. Children under 12 are admitted free.

One of the trends Powless has seen over the past three years is an increase in prize money awarded in drum contests. He said the Oneida Tribe may be looking at increasing its drum prize money to $10,000 to stay competitive and bring in more outside drums. “Sometimes you have to spend more money when times are tough to get people here.”

Powless said in the future, the Oneida Tribe will also be looking at moving the pow wow to a larger venue and making accommodations for more recreational vehicle traffic.

The consistent, affordable family entertainment provided by pow wows may be a silver lining in these uncertain economic times. At $10 per person for a weekend pass, Powless said the Oneida Tribe pow wow is still a bargain for cost-conscious families.

“It’s a great draw for family entertainment,” Caldwell said. “It’s still a good value.”

For Stroud, the focus of the Christmas pow wow is on youth and seniors. “A successful pow wow is the feeling. What we strive for is the feeling of family and friends.”

Stroud, of Navajo and Cherokee heritage, said she believes people will continue to support pow wows because, for many, they fulfill a spiritual need for fellowship and community. “It’s just like somebody needing to go to church.”

Lorraine Jessepe can be reached at lorrainejessepe@msn.com.