Onslow Veterans Pow Wow

06/02/2026

On this day in 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act, also known as the Snyder Act, was signed into law, granting citizenship to American Indians and Alaska Natives born within the United States.

The act marked a significant milestone in Native American history while preserving tribal citizenship and the unique government-to-government relationship between tribal nations and the federal government.

Today, tribal nations continue to govern their communities, uphold their sovereignty, and make decisions that reflect the needs, values, and priorities of their citizens. 🪶

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our Nation. Their courage, selflessness, and devotion to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten.

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend — it is a reminder that the liberties we enjoy each day came at a tremendous cost. Because of their sacrifice, we are able to live freely, gather with loved ones, and pursue our dreams.

May we always remember those who gave all so we could have all. 🇺🇸

05/01/2026

MAY 2 – RISE OF THE FLOWER MOON (CARTERET POW WOW) Rise of the Flower Moon at Carteret Speedway offers a unique event experience with cultural significance. This event provides a memorable day at the track for everyone! In addition to the atmosphere & activities, guests can enjoy a classic car sho...

04/30/2026

We are incredibly honored to receive the Onslow County Tourism Event of the Year Award! 🏆

This recognition reflects the heart, dedication, and cultural pride of our entire Pow Wow committee, volunteers, dancers, vendors, and community who make this event so meaningful each year.

We are deeply grateful—and even more excited for what’s ahead. Join us for the **6th Annual Onslow Veterans Pow Wow on November 7 & 8 as we continue to celebrate culture, honor our veterans, and bring our community together in a powerful way.

Save the date—we’ll see you there!

04/13/2026

📣 Calling All Food Vendors! 🍴🔥

We’re excited to announce that we are seeking food vendors for the 1st Annual Native American Cultural Celebration happening May 2nd at Carteret Speedway!

This special event will honor Native American heritage, culture, and community with music, art, dancing, and more—and we want YOU to be part of it by bringing your amazing food to our guests.

🌽 Open to all types of food vendors
🍗 Great opportunity to showcase your cuisine
🎉 Family-friendly, high-energy cultural celebration

If you're interested in securing a spot, please reach out for more details and vendor registration information!

Let’s make this inaugural event unforgettable together! 🙌

04/12/2026

Sharing Wisdom…

The elders say,
A person does not grow by age,
But by the number of times they fall
And still choose to stand again.

The buffalo teaches strength,
The eagle teaches freedom,
The butterfly teaches change,
And fire teaches rebirth.

Do not be sad when life changes,
Even the old forest changes leaves each season.
Do not fear walking alone,
A true warrior always walks a lonely road for a while.

03/10/2026

A little something to keep you dancing!

03/04/2026

We are incredibly grateful to voyageraleigh Magazine for the beautiful feature on our Founder, Raquel Painter!

The article thoughtfully highlights Raquel’s heart, leadership, and deep passion for the Onslow Veterans Pow Wow — an event dedicated to honoring veterans, celebrating Native culture, and bringing our community together in a meaningful way.

Thank you Voyage Raleigh for sharing her story and helping us shine a light on the purpose and spirit behind this important gathering. We are beyond appreciative for the support and recognition! 🤎✨

Be sure to check out the full article and celebrate with us!
https://voyageraleigh.com/interview/meet-raquel-painter-of-united-way-of-onslow-county

02/24/2026

I am deeply honored and humbled to be recognized by The Courage Project.

This recognition is not just about me—it represents the heart and spirit of the Onslow Veterans Pow Wow, the veterans we honor, and the community that has stood beside us from the very beginning.

When I founded the Onslow Veterans Pow Wow, it was with a simple but powerful purpose: to honor Native American service members—past, present, and future—and to ensure their sacrifices and stories are never forgotten. To see that vision recognized in this way means more than words can express.

I share this honor with every veteran, every dancer, every drum group, every volunteer, and every supporter who has helped bring this pow wow to life.

Thank you, The Courage Project, for seeing the importance of this work and for helping shine a light on our mission.

With gratitude and respect,

Raquel Painter
Founder, Onslow Veterans Pow Wow

🌟Meet Sergeant Major Raquel Painter, USMC (Ret.)🌟

Courage, Culture, Service all in one. A Native American Marine Corps veteran who founded the Onslow Veterans Pow Wow in 2021 to create a space for cultural celebration and healing, bridging military and Indigenous communities.

🖊️Nominate someone bold at 👉 thecourageproject.org

02/24/2026

The Onslow Veterans Pow Wow stands today as a powerful symbol of honor, culture, and unity—made possible through the extraordinary courage and vision of its founder, Raquel Painter.

With unwavering determination, Raquel established the Onslow Veterans Pow Wow to ensure that all Native American service members—past, present, and future—are recognized, honored, and celebrated for their sacrifice and commitment to this great nation. What began as a vision has grown into a beloved annual gathering where veterans, active duty, families, and the community come together to share traditions, stories, and healing.

Her courage was not just in starting an event, but in creating a space where Native American culture and military service stand side by side—where the drum carries the heartbeat of our people, and every dance honors those who have worn the uniform.

Because of her leadership, thousands now gather each year to witness the strength, pride, and resilience of Native American veterans.
We honor the founder. We honor the warriors. We honor the legacy.