Marvin Joe Curry Veterans Pow Wow

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

2022 Pow Wow

March 1, 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.

Annual Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow Cancelled Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Response for 2020

2020 Pow Wow

April 3, 2020

ALLEGANY TERRITORY, SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Lingering concerns over the sustained nationwide COVID-19 response has prompted organizers of the annual Marvin “Joe” Curry Veterans Powwow to cancel the event for 2020.

The Seneca Nation has presented the annual celebration of Native American culture for the past 30 years. The powwow, which features a series of exhilarating dance and drum competitions, attracts competitors and visitors from across the United States and Canada. It is one of the largest powwow celebrations in the northeast.

“The powwow is about community, our community here on the Seneca Territory and the community of friends and families who join us each year from throughout Indian Country,” said Seneca Nation Councilor Tina Abrams, co-chair of the Powwow committee. “With everyone’s best interest in mind, the right decision is to suspend our celebration until we can again welcome everyone from far and wide back to Salamanca next year.”

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.

Abrams is thankful for the devotion and commitment of the committee members and said the powwow committee will soon begin planning for a 2021 celebration.

“Every community is adjusting to this worldwide situation. We are disappointed, but we know this is the right decision,” Abrams said. “The dancers will dance, the drums will sound, and we will all raise our voices in song again next year.”

Powwow-COVID-Response Download

COVID-19 & 2020 Marvin Joe Curry Powwow

2020 Pow Wow

March 19, 2020

The Seneca Nation is responsible for the health and safety of our community and visitors. We are closely monitoring the situation and taking all recommended pre-cautions to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. In the event that it becomes necessary, the Seneca Nation and the MJC Powwow Committee will make a determination whether or not it is in the public interest to hold this year’s annual Powwow. At this point, it is too early to make that determination. We will continue to monitor the situation, nya:weh.