Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow Set for July 16 and 17, 2022

Event returns to Allegany Territory after two years of cancellations

ALLEGANY TERRITORY, SALAMANCA, NY – Following a two-year absence driven by the coronavirus pandemic, a long-standing celebration of Native American culture is set to return to the Seneca Nation’s Allegany Territory this summer.

Organizers announced that the Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow will again be held at Veterans Park in Salamanca on July 16 and 17.

“The powwow is a signature event, not only for the Seneca people, but for friends and neighbors locally and across the country who have been a part of our celebration for many years,” the Powwow committee said. “July can’t get here fast enough.”

The Seneca Nation presented the annual celebration of Native American culture for 30 years before the onset of the global pandemic forced the cancelation of the event in 2020 and 2021. Featuring a series of exhilarating dance and drum competitions, the powwow attracts competitors and visitors from across the United States and Canada. It is one of the largest powwow celebrations in the northeast.

According to the Powwow committee, the event and seeing many familiar faces will be especially meaningful this year, given the difficulties brought on by the pandemic. Native American communities have been among the most impacted by the coronavirus. Federal statistics show that the COVID-related death rates among Native communities is nearly twice that of other populations.

“We have lost so many friends and loved ones over the past two years, within our Seneca community and across Indian Country,” the committee added. “Coming together for the powwow gives us all a chance to reconnect, reflect, honor those we lost, and most of all, celebrate being together.”

The powwow honors Native American veterans and is named in honor of Marvin “Joe” Curry, a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians’ Snipe clan, who led a long and distinguished career of military service in the United States Navy, serving two tours of duty in the Korean War and also serving in the Vietnam War.

Schedule, registration and contest information for the 2022 Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow will be announced soon.