Native American powwow in Queens celebrates culture and heritage

FLORAL PARK, Queens (PIX11) -- The number of Indigenous people in the United States is estimated at between four and seven million people, and only 20% of the Native Americans live on reservations.

There was a big powwow at the Queens County Farm Museum to celebrate American Indian culture.

At the 45th annual Thunderbird American Indian Powwow one of the highlights is the dance competition.

Members of 40 different tribes compete to keep their traditions alive and show visitors the powwow more about their culture and heritage.

“Right here in the United States, there are more five million Native Americans, some live on reservations and some live in big cities like New York,” Louis Mofsie the director of Thunderbird American Indian Dance Company, told PIX11 News.

Mattah Wright, a Shinnecock member, showed PIX11 News her jingle dress and dance.

“It’s a healing dance, originally from the Canadian and Michigan area,” Wright told PIX11 News. “It’s a contemporary style of dance."

More than 40 vendors were spread out across the dozens of acres of this centuries-old farm museum. They were selling everything from handmade Native American jewelry to antiques.