TAMA - Almost everything during this year's powwow at the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa settlement will be familiar, except the location.

For the third time in its history, the annual ceremony won't be at the traditional village site along the Iowa River near Tama. Muck and debris from widespread flooding this spring still covers the grounds. The event, which begins Thursday, will instead be at an arena near the Meskwaki Bingo-Casino-Hotel.

Tribal historian Johnathan Buffalo said the powwow also moved in 1973, 1990 and 1993.

This will be the event's 94th year. Buffalo said the annual powwow is derived from the Green Corn Dance, an ancient ritual held during the harvest. The powwow became more of a social gathering over time, where tribal members could meet before heading out to their winter residences.

The word powwow wasn't affixed to the celebration until much later, Buffalo said.

"They called it a traditional time," he said.

After the Lincoln Highway was built, drivers passed by the settlement and began stopping by to watch the ceremony. After a while, the tribe began charging a nickel for admission.

Organizers over the years tried several different names to market the event, Buffalo said. First there was the Indian Fair, except most people expected a county fair with livestock and crafts. Then there was Field Days, which some confused with a track and field event.

Tribal leaders later settled on powwow, an eastern Algonquian word meaning medicine man rituals. The concept was already in the American lexicon by the time the Meskwaki adopted it.

The powwow continues through Sunday. Events kick off at 12:30 p.m. with various dances and games featured throughout the week. For information, go to www.meskwaki.org or call (641) 484-4678.

Contact Josh Nelson

at (319) 291-1565 or

josh.nelson@wcfcourier.com.