Nanticoke Indians struggling to fund this year’s Powwow

With the Nanticoke Indian Association’s 47th annual Powwow less than a month away, Chief Avery Johnson is asking for community support to help fund the event.

“We are in dire need,” said Johnson.

The Powwow is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-7, at Hudson Fields, outside Milton. During an interview Aug. 13, Johnson said between security, the renting of bleachers, performers, emergency responders and other expenses, the Powwow costs about $80,000. The association is at least $30,000 short, he said.

Like most nonprofits, he said, it’s difficult right now to secure funding, and the association began to realize a couple of months ago there were going to be issues. Some of the usual sponsors had cut back their donations 50% or more, he said.

“If a sponsor typically donates $5,000, but can now only do $1,000, it doesn’t take too many of those to add up,” said Johnson.

The association has set up a GoFundMe page for individuals to make donations. It went live over a week ago, and as of press deadline Aug. 14, there was one $50 donation.

The annual Powwow is an opportunity for tribe members to congregate, but it’s also about educating the public by sharing the Nanticoke Indian culture and heritage, said Johnson. However, the Powwow is also a large part of the association’s annual income, which is used throughout the year for community programs and providing scholarships.

For decades, the Powwow was held in a forested area off Route 24. The Powwow moved to Hudson Fields in 2021.

Johnson said there’s discussion about moving the Powwow back to the original site, but it’s not related to funding. It’s going to cost money no matter the location, he said.

In just over a week, Monday, Aug. 25, the association is scheduled to celebrate the groundbreaking of a long-awaited expansion to its community center. Johnson said the funding for that project is not in jeopardy. Funding for the Powwow is separate, he said.

The Powwow was canceled in 2018 because of rain and in 2020 because of COVID. Johnson said he doesn’t want to think about canceling this year’s event.

“We’re going to make it happen,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can. We’ve cut back as much as possible, but the cost of everything is going up. Even when we cut back, we end up at the same number.”

In addition to funding, the association is having trouble with volunteers to work the event. If interested, the association has set up a volunteer page at signupgenius.com.