This weekend, Rhode Islanders can get a taste of the state’s oldest culture at a powwow hosted by the Rhode Island Indian Council at City Park.

The two-day intertribal event will host traditional dancers, food and vendors, members will be fully dressed in native regalia and the powwow will be open to the public. This is the 36th year of the powwow, but only the second the event will be hosted at City Park.

The event has been known to see upwards of 5,000 people throughout the weekend, but after moving from Roger Williams Park to City Park less people know about it.

Last year only 500 people visited the powwow, but Darrell Waldron, executive director for the Rhode Island Indian Council, said people are still learning about it and he hopes to see more people this year.

“The bigger it grows the better it gets. We expect to be doing this for a long time,” he said.

He explained that a powwow is a nationwide tradition through which native peoples gather and socialize, not completely unlike friends and family getting together for a family reunion or cookout.

He said that although there can be tribal powwows, this event is more about socializing, meeting with new and old members as well as serving as outreach for the services the council provides. The council provides youth programs, job training and placement among other services to their community.

“Our traditions run deep,” Waldron said, and he hopes that the general public will come out to the powwow to experience and learn about those traditions.

The craft and food vendors will also be selling native dishes and craft such as chowder, leather and beadwork, jewelry and moccasins.

“Natives have been doing this for hundred of years,” Waldron said.

Chester Bliss, employment and training counselor for the council, and arena director for the powwow said it’s important for the council and their members to show the public their culture.

“We need to show society we are still here,” he said. “We were the first people. We still have our culture and we’re still connected to our ancestors. That needs to keep going.”

The event will be July 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at City Park in Warwick and is open to the public. The grand entry for dancers will be at noon.

For more information visit the Rhode Island Indian Council’s website at www.rhodeislandindiancouncil.org or see their Facebook page.