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

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

“Powwow Rate” only applies to:

Sycuan Casino Hotel
619-445-6002 (21+ only)

US Grant Hotel
619- 232-3626

Map & Directions

Sycuan
Powwow

5577 Dehesa Rd
El Cajon, CA 92019

Digitally drawn map of the the Sycuan Reservation to get to the Sycuan Powwow.

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

Teen Boys & Teen Girls

(Ages 13-17)

1st: $1000 /  2nd: $800