The color guard of veterans enter the arena carrying the American Flag, State Flag and Eagle Staff, representing American Indian Nations, families and communities. They are followed by dignitaries, including respected elders, and then the dancers fill the arena beginning with male traditional dancers and ending with the smallest children. In the competitive sessions, dancers use the whole arena to exhibit their skills with grace and finesse. The powwow is an exciting educational event for visitors, and a gathering of family, friends and fellow competitors for dancers and drummers. The Plains Indian Museum Powwow is an intertribal competitive powwow, not an exhibition powwow.
Male dancers go up against each other in the traditional, grass dance and fancy categories.
While the women compete in traditional, fancy and jingle dress dancing. There are team dancing competitions, as well as specials sponsored by local businesses. This year, there will be 10 invited drum groups and a host drum, Fights Alone from Pryor, Montana. Drum groups play throughout the weekend, taking turns in the various dance categories. Many Native American artists also gather at the Robbie Powwow Garden to exhibit traditional art, crafts and jewelry for display and sale.