Native American Heritage Month in Tennessee: Powwows, Festivals & Indigenous Culture

The name "Tennessee" is derived from "Tanasi," a Cherokee village in what is now Monroe County. Today, Tennessee is home to more than 20,000 Native Americans.

Principal nations by region:

• Cherokee — Eastern TN / Great Smoky Mountains region
• Chickasaw — Western TN / Memphis corridor
• Creek (Muscogee) — Middle/Southern TN
• Shawnee — Middle Tennessee / Cumberland region
• Note: There are no federally recognized tribal reservations in Tennessee today; the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is headquartered in Cherokee, NC

Seven Indigenous tribes called Tennessee home prior to the Native American Removal during the 19th century. The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail runs east to west across Tennessee, carving a tragic story of the removal of the Cherokee people from their ancestral homelands. These historical sites can be honored and experienced year-round, with new opportunities continuing to emerge. Most recently, the Cherokee Trail of Tears State Park opened in June 2026-- continuing education about the impacts of the forced removal. Honoring Native American Heritage is an evergreen opportunity in Tennessee.

IndigeNash Festival is a one-of-a-kind, Native-led multimedia arts festival in the heart of Nashville. Festival events include a fashion show at the Frist Art Museum, a live performance by an Indigenous rock 'n' roll band at the Skydeck on Broadway, sound bath experiences, a comedy showcase, a Native American makers' market, and innovative gallery exhibitions. Indigenous culinary experiences include a chocolate museum exhibition featuring artifacts that showcase cultural and geographical differences over time. Indigenous Mexican Chef Julio Hernandez of James Beard-winning Maíz de la Vida will help facilitate the experience.

• Dates: November 17th - 22nd, 2026
   
• Location: Festival programming spans across downtown Nashville. Please refer to the schedule of events for specific locations.
   
• Admission: Early-bird, all-access passes are $65 for adults, although multiple events are free to the public.
   
• Hours: Festival program timing varies per day and event. Please refer to the schedule of events for specific hours.
   
• Website: https://www.indigenash.org/
   
• Parking: Parking in downtown Nashville is typically paid.
   
• Family-Friendly: The IndigeNash Festival is intended for adult festival-goers.
   

The Native American Indian Association (NAIA) 45th Annual Indian Education Pow Wow is a three-day intertribal competition powwow at Long Hunter State Park. The festival will include traditional dance competitions for participants of all ages. Enjoy food vendors serving up traditional indigenous offerings such as a fry bread and Indian tacos. Shop authentic native handicrafts at the local arts and crafts vendors. 

• Dates: October 16th - October 18th
   
• Location: Long Hunter State Park, 2910 Hobson Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076
   
• Admission: Adults: $10, Veterans: $5, Seniors: $5, Children ages 6–12: $5, Children under 5: Free Handicapped: Free  
   
• Hours: October 16th: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, October 17th and 18th: the opening ceremony is at 11:00 AM.
   
• Parking: Parking is free at Long Hunter State Park.
   
• Family-Friendly: The NAIA 45th Annual Indian Education Pow Wow is a family-friendly event with dance competitions for children and specialized children's admission.
   
• Cash Only: Cash-only event, accepted at the gate.

The Spirit of the Veteran and Warrior Pow Wow is the perfect event for those looking to celebrate during Native American Heritage Month in East Tennessee. This celebration of indigenous culture includes opportunities to hear from Native American storytellers, witness the Luck of the Draw, enjoy traditional dancing, and sample Indigenous cuisine and crafts.

• Dates: November 14–15, 2026
   
• Location: Rhea County Fairgrounds, Harold Robbins Lane, Evensville, TN 37332
   
• Admission: $7 for adults, free for children 10 and under
   
• Hours: 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM on Sunday
   
• Parking: Free
   
• Family-Friendly: The Spirit of the Veteran and Warrior Pow Wow is family-friendly and alcohol free.

The 43rd Annual WilCo Pow Wow is a weekend-long indigenous celebration at James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, Tennessee. Native American traditions are celebrated through intertribal performances, authentic storytelling, flute performances, and Native food vendors serving Indian tacos, buffalo burgers, roasted corn, and corn soup-- all miles from Nashville.

 • Dates: September 26th and 27th, 2026. 2027 dates to be announced. 

• Location: James E. Ward Agricultural Center, 945 E Baddour Pkwy, Lebanon, TN 37087

• Admission: $10 for Adults, $5 for Children Ages 6-12 (5 & under free admission), $5 for Veterans and Senior Citizens 65+

• Hours: Festival programing begins at 10:30 on both days, ends at 6:00 PM on Saturday and 1:30 on Sunday

• Parking: Free parking is available on site.

• Family-Friendly: The WilCo Pow Wow is family-friendly.

• Cash Only: Cash only, accepted at the gate.

• Address: 170 Glades Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
   
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
   
• Phone: 865-719-3999
   
• What They Carry: Shaconage Stone Art Jewelry has Walking Bear Stone candles, plaques and statues, jewelry made by Matoka, knife makers and dreamcatchers. Nuwati Herbals, creams and balms are also available for purchase.
   
• Note: Native American-owned and operated store that caries 90% locally made Native items
   

• Address: 1001 Parkway, Ste 1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
   
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Friday-Saturday
   
• Phone / Website: 865-436-9607 / https://silvergalleon.com 
   
• What They Carry: The Silver Galleon is a curated shop of Native artisan items such as bracelets, earrings, pendants, moccasins for men, women and children. Pottery, flutes and decorative bowls are also in the store.
   
• Note: Curated shop of Native-made items

• Address: 601 Glades Rd Ste 2, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
   
• Hours: Most shops in The Morning Mist Village open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Call for specific operational hours.
   
• Phone: 865-355-9762
   
• What They Carry: White Buffalo Native American Gifts carries handmade jewelry, dreamcatchers, beadwork, and carries handmade knives.
   
• Note: Native American-made items

• Address: 1590 Winfield Dunn Pkwy, Sevierville, TN 37876
   
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
   
• Phone: 865-453-1247
   
• What They Carry: The Cherokee Trading Post carries crafts, pottery, jewelry, leather products and framed art. You can also buy souvenirs, t-shirts and moccasins.
   
• Note: Native American-themed items

• Address: Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway, Nashville, TN, 37203
   
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21, 2026
   
• Website: www.indigenash.org
   
• What They Carry: Featuring over a dozen makers, the market showcases Native items plus cultural activations, artisan demonstrations and live music. The market celebrates tradition and innovation.
   
• Note: Over a dozen Native makers showcasing jewelry, textiles, beadwork, pottery, prints and contemporary designs

While Tennessee does not currently have well-known Native American-owned restaurants, The best places to experience authentic Indigenous food are at Powwow food vendor stalls and IndigeNash culinary programming. Always verify vendor schedules with event organizers before visiting.

You can experience indigenous Mexican cuisine at Maiz de la Vida, founded by Chef Julio Hernandez who is a native of Tlaxcala, Mexico. He uses authentic, indigenous tortilla-making through ancient nixtamalization where dried corn is cooked and soaked in an alkaline solution. The taste is unbelievable, especially with the heirloom corn used that is rooted in 5,000 year-old culinary lineage. 

•  Address: 606 8th Ave South Store 100, Nashville, TN 37203
•  Hours: Lunch: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Monday-Sunday and Dinner: 5-10 p.m. – Monday-Saturday; 5-9 p.m. – Sunday
• Phone / Website: (629) 288-8459 / www.maizdelavida.com
• What They Carry: Dishes include Mole Negro, the Cachapa and the Quesabirria.
• Note: Authentic, Indigenous Mexican cuisine
   

• Attend the NAIA 45^th annual Indian Education Tennessee Pow Wow Oct. 16-18, 2026
• Attend the IndigeNash Festival in Nashville Nov. 16–22, 2026
• Shop directly from Native artisans at Gatlinburg craft shops or IndigeNash's maker market
• Learn about the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Creek nations who shaped Tennessee's landscape
• Watch a film screening, live performance or walk through a museum exhibit by Indigenous artists during IndigeNash
• Try authentic Indigenous foods like fry bread, Indian tacos and more at the NAIA Tennessee Pow Wow 
• Celebrate the cultural contributions today of Indigenous peoples through fashion, music and art at IndigeNash’s week-long events at venues across Nashville
• Learn about the Trail of Tears at historic sites like Red Clay State Historic Park and Museum Center at 5ive Points

• NAIA Pow Wow ($5 for children ages 6-12, free for children ages 5 and under)
• Shopping the Gatlinburg craft community with kids
• Visiting cultural and historically significant places in Tennessee, including Kuwohi in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Red Clay State Historic Park and Museum Center at 5ive Points in Cleveland, Tennessee
   

NAIA Annual Pow Wow

• Oct. 16-18, 2026
• Long Hunter State Park
• Hermitage, TN
• $10 adults / $5 seniors, veterans and children ages 6-12 / free for children under 5

Spirit of the Veteran Pow Wow

• Nov. 14-15, 2026
• Rhea County Fairgrounds
• Evensville, TN      
• $7 / free for children under 10

IndigeNash Festival

• Nov. 17–22, 2026
• Nashville, TN
• $65 Early Bird tickets get you access to planned activations.
   

Tennessee has a variety of ways to celebrate the cultural contributions of Indigenous peoples. Plan your fall Tennessee trip to include these festivals and events as well as interpretive sites. Check out all events details at the tnvacation.com Tennessee events calendar.