The Shinnecock Indian Nation has made the difficult decision of not opening up the 74th annual powwow to those off-territory this year because of the novel coronavirus.
Instead, Shinnecock tribal members will hold “an internal healing ceremony for the pandemic for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives,” according to Bryan Polite, the chairman of the tribal council.
The Shinnecock Powwow is one of the largest Native American gatherings on the East Coast, and brings an estimated 30,000 people each year to the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton over Labor Day weekend.
