The Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Pow Wow, formally known as the Seneca Casino Veteran’s Pow Wow, is an annual contest pow wow in honor of our veterans.
“Joe” was a member of the Seneca Nation’s Snipe Clan and was born on the Cattaraugus Territory. He was a member of the Iroquois Post #1587 and served in several positions with them. He started serving in the military in 1950 with serving two tours of duty during the Korean War and also served in the Vietnam War. During his active duty in the Navy, he served on eight warships, including the U. S. S. Little Rock. He retired in 1997. Throughout his career, he earned numerous honors.
Our annual pow wow is possible through the hard work of Iroquois Post 1587 as well as support from the Seneca Nation and the Seneca Allegany Casino.
The Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Pow Wow is being held indoors this year at the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino Event Center in Salamanca, NY, the 3rd weekend of July.
The mission of our website is to provide information pertaining to the latest news, registration process, and to provide a written history of our earlier pow wows. Please explore our website and check back often as there will be many updates.
Also be sure to check out our Facebook Page 
to get updates as soon as they are available.
See you this summer!
July 19 & 20, 2025
Seneca Allegany Resort and Casino
777 Seneca Allegany Blvd
Salamanca, NY 14779
Get Directions
Single Day Pass
- Students (5 – 17) – $5
- Elders (60+) – $5
- Adults – $10
Weekend Pass
- Students (5 – 17) – $10
- Elders (60+) – $10
- Adults – $15
Veterans & Active Military: Free Admission (with ID)
Children 4 and younger: Free Admission
Get a glimpse of last year’s event
Saturday, July 19th
Vendors Open – 10am
Grand Entry – 1 pm
Sunday, July 20th
Vendors Open – 10am
Grand Entry – Noon
Discover a Native American experience in honor of Veterans. Please join us for a weekend filled with Native American Culture and fun.
A powwow is a joyous celebration in which different tribes gather in a social atmosphere. It is an expression of culture and an opportunity for non-Native Americans to learn and celebrate.
Join us and immerse yourself in the Artistry, Elegance and Strength honoring our ancestors and those who have served.
Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow
Formally known as the Seneca Casino Veteran’s Powwow, the Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow is an annual Seneca Nation contest powwow in honor of our veterans.
Our annual powwow is made possible through the hard work of Iroquois Post 1587 as well as support from the Seneca Nation and the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino.
Powwow Namesake
The Seneca Nation is proud to honor Veteran Marvin “Joe” Curry through our memorial powwow event. Read more about his contributions to the Seneca Nation and the lives of veterans.
What Is a Powwow?
A powwow is a vibrant Native American gathering celebrating culture through dance, music, and community. The Algonquin word pau wau originally referred to a spiritual leader or a dream, evolving to describe these important social events. Modern powwows emerged from 19th-century Plains Grass Dance Societies. During the challenging reservation era, when many Indigenous ceremonies were banned, these communal Grass Dances were often permitted, becoming vital for preserving traditions. As tribes were relocated and intermingled, powwows naturally evolved into intertribal events, fostering widespread cultural exchange across North America, blending heritage with resilience.
For the Seneca Nation, powwows took root in the late 1980s. While not traditionally Seneca, early organizers saw them as a way to extend friendship and welcome other Nations across Turtle Island. This borrowed practice has been deeply enriched with Seneca identity, becoming a space where Haudenosaunee (Hodinöhsö:ni’) traditions, like the powerful Smoke Dance, shine. Today, our powwows celebrate both intertribal unity and a proud expression of being Seneca in the modern world.
