North Dakota Rodeos and Powwows

Rodeos and powwows are important parts of North Dakota culture. The dates surrounding the Fourth of July are known as Cowboy Christmas for all the money that can be earned at the rodeos held around the holiday. Eight seconds seems so long when you're watching a cowboy hang on for dear life. From national professional events to local high school competitions, rodeo isn't just a sport in North Dakota, it's a feel-the-dirt-in-your-teeth way of life. 
 

The Algonquin word "pau wau" was the Native American word some of the first Europeans associated with dancing. Although pau wau meant "he dreams" to the Algonquins, the term was eventually accepted by Europeans to refer to dancing, later being spelled "powwow." 

Powwows were originally held in the spring to celebrate the beginning of new life, but are now held throughout the year. The celebrations often have religious significance, but are also a time for people to gather, sing, dance, feast, pray, renew old friendships and make new ones. These celebrations are still an important part of life for many American Indians. 

Here is a list of remaining rodeos and powwow in North Dakota in 2020. Check back occasionally as events are added and dates may change throughout the year. 

RODEOS

May 
25: High School Rodeo, Dickinson 
29-30: Mandaree NBIRA 

June 
12-14: Indian National Finals Rodeo Tour, Twin Buttes 
18-20: North Dakota Rodeo Association Rodeo (NDRA), Watford City 
June 20: Parshall NBIRA 
25-27: Roughrider Days PRCA Rodeo, Dickinson 

July 
2-4: PRCA Mandan Rodeo Days, Mandan 
3-4: PRCA Killdeer Mountain Roundup Rodeo, Killdeer 
July 4-5: Fourth of July NBIRA, TBA 
July 10-12: Indian National Finals Rodeo Tour, White Shield 
July 17-19: Indian National Finals Rodeo Tour, Mandaree 

August 
1: 64th annual Champions Ride, Home on the Range, Sentinel Butte 
1-2: Standing Rock NBIRA, Fort Yates 
8-9: NDRA Ranchorama Rodeo Days, Medora 
8-9: Little Shell NBIRA, New Town 

September 
4-5: Mandaree NBIRA 
25-26: NDRA Finals Rodeo, Watford City 
26-27: NBIRA Region Finals, TBA 

October 
2-4: PRCA Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo (Y's Men's), Minot 
23-25: Roughrider Rodeo Association (RRA) Finals, Jamestown 

November 
20-21: Duel in the Dirt, Jamestown  

POWWOWS 

May 
22-24: Four Bears Powwow, New Town 

June 
10-12: Twin Buttes Powwow, Twin Buttes 
19-21: Parshall Powwow 

July 
9-12: Arikara Celebration, White Shield 
16-19: Mandaree Celebration, Mandaree 
25-26: Fort Totten Days, Fort Totten 

August 
7-9: Little Shell Powwow, New Town 
14-16: Little Shell Memorial Powwow, Dunseith 

September 
4-6: Turtle Mountain Chippewa Pembina Labor Day Powwow, Belcourt 
11-13: United Tribes International Powwow, Bismarck 

October 
24-25: FM Crossroads Powwow, Fargo