The Tulsa Indian Club’s 74th annual Tulsa Powwow took over the Arvest Convention Center over the weekend.
The powwow kicked off Saturday with the gourd dance, honoring veterans, warriors and ancestors. The lead singer was George Valliere of the Quapaw, Shawnee and Cherokee nations.
As noon rolled around, Valliere began singing and drumming with the help of many others. Head gourd dancer Hinglu Huber of the Otoe, Iowa and Kiowa tribes led a small group in the dance, and other members joined in.
“We’re here to celebrate Native Americans in urban places,” said Powwow Princess Madison Bighorse of the Osage and Otoe Ioway nations. “A lot of city natives don’t really have opportunities like this, we come to celebrate, dance and be together as a community.”
The Tulsa Indian Club is Tulsa’s oldest Native American cultural organization, established in 1952. The mission is to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the North American tribes through the organization of multi-tribal cultural events, patriotic and religious ceremonies and sporting events.
Singers lead the gourd dancers during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
An eagle head is photographed during the gourd dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Powwow princess Madison Gayle Bighorse (right) dances during the gourd dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Gourd dancers dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer 
Head singer George Valliere sings during the gourd dance during the 74th annual Tulsa Powwow at the Avest Convention Center Saturday, July 25, 2026. Credit: Milo Gladstein / Tulsa Flyer
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