Native Americans from all across the United States and Canada will gather for the 45th annual Thanksgiving Pow Wow on Nov. 26-27.

The pow wow, which is held each year by the Poarch Creek Indians, began in 1971 as a tribal homecoming event.

The pow wow will be held at 6477 Jack Springs Road in Atmore. Gates open each day at 10 a.m.

“You’ll see different dance styles from men and women competing in different categories for over $75,000 in cash prizes,” Tribal Planning and Events Coordinator Chris Blackburn said.

The dance categories include men’s traditional versus men’s chicken, men’s fancy versus men’s grass, women’s fancy versus women’s jingle and women’s cloth versus women’s buckskin. In these categories, the first place prize is $1,200, $800 for second, $600 for third and $400 for fourth.

Additionally, there are men’s and women’s traditional, straight, fancy, grass, buckskin, cloth, fancy and sack cloth tournament as well with the top four winners getting cash prizes based on the age group. The four age groups are 50-plus, 18-49, 13-17 and 7-12. Cash prizes vary based on age group.

The drum contest will be between northern and southern teams. There is a five-singer minimum. First place prize is $5,000. The three-man hand drum contest will also be held with the first place prize set at $500.

The Tribal Princess Contest will be held at noon on Nov. 26 with the grand entry slated for 1 p.m. On Friday, the grand entry will be at 11 a.m.

Gates open at 10 a.m. both days and admission is $5 for ages 11 and up. Children 10 and under get in free.