36th Annual Sycuan Powwow
September 12th, 13th, & 14th
Haawka! May your fire burn bright. We invite you and your family to celebrate Sycuan’s 36th Annual Celebration on September 12th, 13th and 14th, 2025.
Witness the beauty of the different Indigenous dance styles from across Turtle Island, Canada, and Mexico. See the vibrant colors of the regalia, and watch as the dancers showcase their style, from the tiny tots to the golden age. Watch the dancers tell their stories through dance.
The powwow is a time when families gather, make new friends, and reconnect with old friends.
Public Invited -
No Entry Fee
Contacts
Powwow Chairperson:
Vendor Information:
Princess Pageant Committee:
Sycuan Fashion Show :
Rez Runner:
Head Staff
MC - Ruben Little Head
MC - Jackson Rollingthunder Tahuka
Arena Director - Clifton Goodwill
Head Singing Judge - Nick Garfield
Head Dance Judge - Grace Her Many Horses
Host Drums - Black Stone / Motown
Head Man - JT Largo
Head Woman - Rayanna Bird
Head Young Man - Thunder Garcia
Head Young Woman - Shinasha Begay
Tabulator - Pine Country Tabulations
Out Going Princess - Liliana Mars
Bird MC - Jamahke Welsh
Bird Cordinator - Jadeane LaBrake
Bird Area Director - TBD
Sound - Dale Roberts
Color Guard - Richard DeCrane
Daily Schedule
Thursday
6pm – Sycuan Fashion Show
Friday
4pm – Dance Registration
5pm – Arts & Crafts/ Food Booths Open
5pm – 5:30pm – Kumeyaay Bird Singing
6pm – Rising Stars Introduction into the Arena & Giveaway
7pm – Grand Entry, Invocation, Welcome by Chairman Cody Martinez, Flag & Victory Song, Intertribals, Dance Contest, Specials, Tiny Tots
9pm – Kumeyayy Peon Games (17 & Under Boys & Girls)
Saturday
6am – Rez Run Registration (Employee Parking Lot)
7:30am – Rez Run Kick Off
9am – Flag Ceremony
10am – Specials TBA
11am – Vendor Booths Open
12pm – Grand Entry, Invocation, Welcome by Chairman Cody Martinez, Flag & Victory Song, Intertribal, Contest, Specials, Tiny Tots
3:30pm – Out-Going Princess Giveaway
4:30pm – Retrieve Flags, Dinner Break (Dancer & Singer Feed)
4:45 -7:45pm – Kumeyaay Bird Dancing and Singing Contest
8pm – Grand Entry, Invocation-Prayer, Welcome by Chairman Cody Martinez, Flag & Victory Song, Intertribal, Contest, Specials
9pm – Kumeyaay Peon Games (Men & Women 18 and up)
Sunday
9am – Flag Ceremony
10am – Specials TBA
11am – Kumeyaay Bird Singing
12pm – Miss Sycuan 2025-2026 Crowning
1pm – Grand Entry, Invocation, Welcome by Chairman Cody Martinez, Flag & Victory Song, Intertribal, Tiny Tots, Ties (If any), Specials
1-3pm – Lunch for Elders
6pm – Retrieve Flags, Announce Winners
Camping & Hotel
Camping Information
Dry Tent Camping Available
RV Camping (No RV Hook Ups)
Shower Time
6am – 12am
Local Hotels
Map & Directions
Sycuan
Powwow
5577 Dehesa Rd
El Cajon, CA 92019
Dance Categories
Men
(Age groups: 65+ / 50-64 / 34-49 / 18-33)
Northern Traditional, Southern Straight, Grass, Fancy, Chicken
Women
(Age groups: 65+ / 50-64 / 34-49 / 18-33)
Northern Traditional Buckskin/Cloth, Southern Buckskin/Cloth, Jingle, Fancy
1st: $1,000 / 2nd: $800 / 3rd: $599
Teen Boys 13-17
Northern Traditional, Southern Straight, Grass, Fancy, Chicken
Teen Girls 13-17
Northern Traditional Buckskin/Cloth, Southern Buckskin/Cloth, Jingle, Fancy
1st: $400 / 2nd: $300 / 3rd: $200
Junior Boys 6-12
Northern/Southern Traditional, Grass, Fancy
Junior Girls 6-12
Northern/Southern Traditional, Grass, Fancy
1st: $300 / 2nd: $200 / 3rd: $100
Additional Dance Categories
Head Man Special
Head Women Special
Head Young Man Special
Head Young Woman Special
Out Going Sycuan Special
Singing Contest
1st Prize:
$8,000
2nd Prize:
$6,000
3rd Prize:
$4,000
4th Prize:
$2,000
Bird Singing & Dance Contest
Bird Singing Group
1st: $1000 / 2nd – $700 / 3rd – $500
Men | Women
(Age groups 50+ / 36-49 / 18-35)
1st: $600 / 2nd – $500 / 3rd – $300
Teen Boys | Teen Girls
(Ages 13-17)
1st: $300 / 2nd – $200 / 3rd – $100
Boys | Girls
(Ages 7-12)
1st: $300 / 2nd – $200 / 3rd – $100
Peon Games
Men & Women 18 and up
(Age groups 50+ / 36-49 / 18-35)
1st: $5000 / 2nd: $2000