Scenes From the 2026 NAIA Pow Wow

Every year, the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee puts on one of Middle Tennessee's best parties. The 45th annual NAIA Pow Wow took place last weekend at Long Hunter State Park, and Scene photographer Angelina Castillo was there to document the dancers, vendors and visitors who make up this singular event. 

To begin with, the food was incredible. If you’ve never had fry bread, it’s like the funnel cake of the pow wow scene: flat dough that’s been deep-fried until it’s puffy and delicious, and can be topped with sweet treats or made into an Indian taco, which has become fairly standard pow wow fare and includes seasoned ground beef, lettuce and shredded cheese.

Dozens of sought-after Native vendors lined the park, selling everything from dream catchers and turquoise jewelry to animal pelts and books about Native culture. 

But the biggest draw of the pow wow is always the performers. In the center of the park, a small stage and a ring of bleachers create a circle where dancers and musicians come and go throughout the day. When the Scene visited on Saturday, the event's MC was peppering in the current UT football scores with his commentary on the dancers, which kept visitors’ spirits high. 

Although the event is nurtured by the upward of 40,000 Indians who live in Tennessee, the pow wow is open to everyone. The cool, sunny weather ensured that everyone on site was cheerful, and it felt like being part of a big family reunion.