Introducing the Vibrant 2026 Seminole Tribal Fair & Powwow
Festival season is back! The 2026 Seminole Tribal Fair & Powwow starts tomorrow January 30th through February 1st. Kicking off festival season, this three-day event is an incredible mix of powwow dancing, drums, music, arts, crafts, and cinema. This cherished, family-friendly event is an annual experience you don’t want to miss. Today, join us to get an inside look into the festivities. Tomorrow, join the Seminole Tribe of Florida at Hard Rock Hollywood for the first day of Tribal Fair!
Hard Rock Hollywood
The 2026 Tribal Fair and Powwow will be held January 30-February 1st at Hard Rock Hollywood Hotel and Casino. The address is 1 Seminole Way Davie, FL. Featuring the dazzling guitar-shaped hotel, this event is one that blends Seminole culture, Indigenous pride, and an event lineup that you won’t want to miss. Looking for more history and the origins of Tribal Fair? Check out our previous blog post on the 50th Annual Tribal Fair from a few years ago.
Here, you can see the event map for this year’s Tribal Fair. It also details the greater Hard Rock Hollywood campus. Free onsite parking is available for all festival attendees in the parking garages.
Powwow Dancing
The powwow is at the heart of Tribal Fair, and features generations of dancing tradition and culture. There are many, many different dances and styles across Indian Country. Some are for specific occasions, and others are considered social dances. In general, the dancing you would see at an open powwow like this are social dances. These dances bring people together, foster community, and celebrate the culture.
Powwows “are the Native American people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships, and making new ones. This is a time method to renew Native American culture and preserve the rich heritage of American Indians.” You can find out more about the different types of dances at this year’s Tribal Fair here.
This year’s powwow includes powwow exhibition dancing all three days, with the grand entry at noon on Friday and Saturday. Visitors to the powwow should always remember to be respectful, and always follow good powwow etiquette.
Clothing Contests and more!
In addition to powwow dancing, Tribal Fair will feature clothing contests. A beloved tradition spanning decades, festival attendees can see works from some of the most accomplished tribal artisans. The youth and senior clothing contest will be on Saturday, January 31st at 9:00am in Salon West. The adult clothing contest will be the next morning on Sunday, February 1st at the same time and location.
Looking for some educational, animal-centered fun during Tribal Fair? Check out an alligator demonstration each day of the festival. Stick around for a baby alligator photo op!
Musical Guests
Keith Secola
On the last day of Tribal Fair, three special musical guests will perform for festival attendees. Keith Secola is an iconic Ojibwe musician with a career spanning over thirty years and six independent albums. Blending rock, folk rock, americana, and blues, Secola is a seven-time Native American Music Award winner. He earned NAMMYs not only for his music, but also his abilities as a producer.
Both a singer and songwriter, Secola plays guitar, flute, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, and piano. He was born in Cook Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1982 with a degree in American Indian Studies. NDN Kars (Indian cars), his most popular song, is considered the contemporary Native American anthem. It earned Secola a well-deserved cult following and has been the number one requested song on tribal radio since 1992.
Keith Secola will perform on Sunday, February 1st from 11:30am – 12:15pm in the Seminole Ballroom.
Geneviève Gros-Louis
Film and TV composer, violinist, and producer Geneviève Gros-Louis is from the Huron-Wendat Nation. A gifted storyteller, her music has shaped some incredible projects such as Courage, Life Below Zero, and Guardian of the land. An activist, Gros-Louis uses her work to “courageously utilizes her artistic platform to shed light on crucial matters surrounding mental health, the plight of women enduring sexual violence, and the pressing challenges faced by Indigenous communities.”
She will perform on Sunday, January 31st at 11:30am with Keith Secola.
Tia Wood
Finishing out Tribal Fair strong, Sunday’s lineup will culminate in a free concert from rising Indigenous pop artist Tia Wood. It’s a long way from the dirt roads of Saddle Lake Cree Nation in central Alberta to the bright lights of Los Angeles, California, but Tia Wood followed her heart from the Rez to the City of Angels to make her musical dreams come true.
Her powerful, soulful voice carries the spirit of her peoples’ songs that have echoed from her homelands since time immemorial, and the musical roots of her family tree run deep. Growing up in a home rich with music and culture, she began singing as soon as she could talk, inspired and nurtured by her parents, siblings, and her dual Plains Cree and Coast Salish heritage. So, Tia believes it was inevitable that she’s now blazing her own trail as a solo artist. Wood received a 2025 JUNO nomination for her debut EP “Pretty Red Bird” last year.
“When I was younger, this kind of stuff is something I dreamed about, but just never would say out loud because I never thought it was reachable,” says the 26-year-old. “But it’s just so cool. I’m just so grateful.”
Tia also calls it “surreal” to go from the western edges of the Canadian Prairies to the west coast metropolis of Los Angeles. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is a community of about 6000 people in Treaty 6 territory, about a two-hour drive east of the Alberta capital of Edmonton. Her home community is where Tia’s musical journey began; her first experiences on stage were performing with her family, singing traditional music at powwows, schools, community events, and various showcases.
Back then, her father, Earl Wood, co-founded and was a member of the legendary JUNO-winning and Grammy-nominated powwow drum group Northern Cree, and her mother, Cynthia Jim, was in an all-women drum group. The talent in her family is generational: her sister, Fawn Wood, is also a JUNO Award-winning singer.
Even though she calls her younger self “the shyest kid” among her other siblings, Tia says those early performances and musical teachings from her family were hugely formative and led her on to the path she continues to follow today, proudly celebrating and sharing the songs and dances of her people.
Tia Wood will perform on Sunday, February 1st from 1:30pm – 2:30pm in the Seminole Ballroom.
Native Reel Cinema Festival
Back again for another exciting year, the Native Reel Cinema Festival showcases some of the best and brightest in Indigenous film, tv, and entertainment. This year’s lineup blends exciting special guests, short films, and full-length screenings across two festival days.
Friday, January 30th
Feature Film Remaining Native
A documentary film by Paige Bethmann, Remaining Native follows 17-year-old Ku Stevens who from the Yerington Paiute Reservation in Nevada. Stevens, a Native American runner, struggles to navigate his dream of being a collegiate runner while grappling with his grandfather, Frank Quinn’s, history. Quinn escaped an Indian Boarding school at the age of eight. The film weaves together Ku’s present with historic reality. It calls attention to the generational impact of the Indigenous Boarding School System and the mistreatment of Native children.
Showtime for Remaining Native is at 3:00pm on Friday, January 30th.
30th Anniversary Screening of The Indian in the Cupboard
A 1995 family fantasy drama, The Indian in the Cupboard is a feature length adaptation of a 1980 book. The story revolves around Omri, a nine-year old boy who discovers a magical cupboard that brings toys to life.
This 30th Anniversary screening will be held at 5:00pm on January 30th. Join immediately afterwards for a Q&A session with Litefoot, who played Little Bear.
Dream Touch Believe
A powerful South Florida premiere documentary, Dream Touch Believe tells the story of Michael Naranjo. Naranjo is a blind Indigenous sculptor; who’s vision transcends sight. Losing his sight and hand in the Vietnam War, it details his journey from a child dreaming of being an artist to overcoming adversity and living his truth as a world-renowned sculptor. Written and directed by his daughter, Jenna Najaro Winters, the film is an intimate portrait of family, resilience, art, and the unbreakable bond between creativity and spirit.
Showtime for Dream Touch Believe is at 7:00pm on January 30th.
Saturday, January 31st
Honoring Our Roots Short Film Block
This powerful and inspiring short film block celebrates Indigenous voices and storytelling and features three short films with distinct perspectives. Join Native Reel and they share their unique vision and cultural roots through film.
In Your Name Isn’t English director and writer Tazbah Chavez follows Tazbah, a young professional woman seeking a ride share. Each time, a different driver struggles with her name, Tazbah takes on the role of educator, a “generous professor” on occupied land.
In Waabishki Mashkode-bizhiki (White Bison) Justin Deegan, an Arikara, Oglala and Hunkpapa filmmaker from the Fort Berthold Reservation, travelled to Belcourt, North Dakota to witness the gifting of five white buffalo calves from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa to five tribes of North Dakota and Minnesota. Not sure what to expect, Deegan documented the day, which was distilled down into the fifteen-minute documentary short.
Directed by Mark D. Williams, Carly Buckets follows basketball player Carly Keats. Her small Choctaw reservation gets behind Keats and her basketball journey, following her all the way to the University of Arkansas.
Showtime will be January 31st at 3:00pm. Stick around for a special Q&A session following the screenings, as the filmmakers discuss their creative process, stories, and cultural inspirations.
20th Anniversary Screening of Trudell
Join the Native Reel Cinema Festival for a special moment of reflection, resistance, and remembrance with the 20th Anniversary screening of Trudell. This trailblazing documentary chronicles the life, voice, and enduring impact of poet and activist John Trudell.
Showtime will be January 31st at 5:00pm. There will be a special Q&A session immediately following the screening with director Heather Rae Priest and Sage Trudell, John Trudell’s daughter.
Special First Look at Becoming Buffalo
Get a special first look at Montana Cypress’ new thriller film Becoming Buffalo. Following Buffalo Tiger and the Miccosukee delegation in their fight for recognition, the film will follow them on their journey to Cuba during Cold War tensions.
Showtime will be on January 31st at 7:00pm, immediately followed by a Q&A with director Montana Cypress.
Sundance Indigenous Shorts Tour
The curated selection reflects a variety of Native stories and showcases inventive, original storytelling from indigenous artists previously supported by the Festival. Sundance Institute has a long history of supporting and launching talented Indigenous directors including Erica Tremblay, Taika Waititi, Blackhorse Lowe, Sterlin Harjo, Sky Hopinka, Caroline Monnet, Fox Maxy, and Shaandiin Tome. Support for screenings is provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Showtime will be January 31st at 8:00pm.
Specials Guests: MEET and GREET 1pm-3pm, Saturday, January 31st
Litefoot
Cherokee rapper, actor, and businessman Litefoot has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than 35 years. He is widely recognized for his roles as Little Bear in The Indian in the Cupboard and Nightwolf in Mortal Kombat Annihilation. As a recording artist, Litefoot has released eight award-winning albums and earned six Native American Music Awards, including Artist of the Year. He is among the first Native American hip-hop artists from a federally recognized tribe. Since 2005, he has hosted and produced the hip-hop and R&B radio show Reach the Rez Radio.
Beyond entertainment, Litefoot is a successful entrepreneur. He serves as Executive Director of the Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) and is the CEO of Davis Strategy Group. He also owns Native Style Clothing and Red Vinyl Records. Litefoot is also a recipient of the prestigious Seven Star Award from the Cherokee Nation Historical Society.
Amber Midthunder
Powerhouse performer Amber Midthunder is known for her breakout leads in Novocaine and Prey. From the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribe, Midthunder recently filmed the Amazon MGM reimagining of Carrie and starred alongside Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, and Murray Bartlett in Mark Anthony Green’s OPUS for A24, which premiered at Sundance this year. She’s currently filming Painter in the starring role, for 20th Century Studios.
Working as an actor since she was a child, Midthunder has recently rocketed to mainstream acclaim. In a Refinery29 article about her career, Midthunder reflected on how it feels to navigate Hollywood as an Indigenous, mixed person. “I constantly think about it, I think it’s impossible not to,” Midthunder says. “Not everybody obviously has to think about that, not even actors but just [people] walking around every day. Not everybody has to constantly think about the fact that when they’re in a room, maybe they’re the only person who is making an impression for that community. Or what will their community think about this.” She continues that ““I always want to do what’s best for not just me, but really for my people, big or small. I feel like I want to be opening doors for the people who are coming behind me however I possibly can.”
Michael Spears
From the Kul Wičaša Lakota from the Lower Brulé Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, Michael Spears is known for his incredible performances in Dances with Wolves, Reservation Dogs, 1883, 1923, and more. From his breakout role as Otter in Dances with Wolves, to his recent narration of documentary National Parks:USA, Spears’ career is unforgettable. He is also an accomplished hand drummer and singer, often performing at powwows and other cultural events.
Doggface
Achieving viral fame in 2020 on TikTok for his skateboarding, Doggface has turned that viral fame into opportunity. A content creator and motivational speaker, he has recently begun his acting career. In a 2024 interview with “Complex” he reflected on his viral fame, saying “Ever since the video, I’ve just been continuing the vibe, bringing it around to everybody, trying to vibe out with as many people as I can in this world. I’ve been blessed to be getting meet and greets. And I’ve been blessed to get into the acting game as well.”
Tazbah Chavez
An incredible producer, writer, and director Tazbah Chavez is working to redefine Indigenous storytelling in film and cinema. She has lent her creative voice to some incredible projects such as Reservation Dogs, Rutherford Falls, IT: Welcome to Derry, and Resident Alien. A citizen of the Bishop Paiute Tribe, Chavez grew up as the daughter of a climate activist.
Initially wanting to go to school to be a lawyer, Chavez had a change of heart early in her greater education. “When I’m 80 and I’m sitting on a porch somewhere, sipping on my tea, I’m not going to regret not being a lawyer. I’m not going to regret not going to business school. … The thing that I would have regretted is having not tried to be a writer or artist full time,” she shared in a Mt. SAC’s Student Equity Speaker Series. “What I wanted to do in a courtroom was tell a story to change people’s minds and then I realized I could do that as a writer, as a director.”
You can catch Tazbah Chavez’ short Your Name Isn’t English on Saturday, January 31st.
In Memoriam
Please join the Native Reel Cinema Festival on January 31st at 9:00pm for a special memorial tribute honoring those who made an impact on NRCF and Indigenous Film, highlighting two special people, in particular. Robert Redford helped shape generations of Indigenous film and actors as an actor, producer, and director. NRCF will honor Redford immediately following the Sundance Short Film Block.
In addition, there will be a special memorial to NRCF’s own Serge Achilles Jr. Everett Osceola, one of the founders of NRCF, wrote this statement about his legacy and impact.
“We pause to honor and remember Serge Achilles Jr., a founding spirit of the Native Reel Cinema Festival and someone whose presence, talent, and heart helped build this festival from the ground up.
Serge was always there—quietly, consistently, and with purpose. Whether it was designing graphics, lending his creative eye, helping behind the scenes, standing at the front door, or simply making sure things got done, Serge showed up. Every time. His love for film, storytelling, and Native representation lived in every detail he touched.
Native Reel Cinema Festival would not be what it is today without Serge. His creativity helped shape our identity, his dedication helped carry our vision forward, and his kindness made this community stronger. He believed deeply in Indigenous stories and in creating space for them to be seen, respected, and celebrated.
Most of all, Serge gave his time and his heart. That kind of commitment cannot be replaced—and it will never be forgotten.”
