Natchez is known around the world for its deep and well-preserved history.

For thousands and thousands of visitors that history starts in the late 1700s and continues through the Civil War.

Evidence of that time period in Natchez, fortunately, stands all around us in the form great monuments of that era.

Indeed, Natchez’s collection of antebellum structures is unmatched elsewhere.

But to only look that period of Natchez’s history is to miss a hugely interesting and important period — the period before the French first settled here in 1716.

Pre-European Natchez is fascinating to study. Unfortunately, unlike the myriad antebellum structures that remain as tangible symbols of a later period, the evidence of the Native American Natchez people is far less prominent, but no less interesting.

This weekend, one of those periods of our community’s history will be on display at the 30th annual Natchez Powwow at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.

Visitors to the Powwow will be able to see traditional Native American dress and tribal dances.

This year’s Powwow also includes a special feature, a Native American stickball game, which is always exciting and action-packed.

Natchez would not be Natchez were it not for the wise Natchez tribe that settled in this high spot on the river and — at least at first — welcomed the visitors from far away lands.
We encourage people to attend the Powwow Saturday and Sunday and learn a little of Natchez’s earliest history.