Let’s Celebrate Sobriety While Passing Cultural Practices from One Generation to the Next
at RSIC’s New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow & Handgames
(Reno, NV – November 25, 2025) Looking for a family friendly, sober NYE celebration full of tradition? Join us for the 22nd Annual New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow & Handgames on Wednesday, December 31st, 4pm-12:30am at the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) Gym: 34 Reservation Road, Building #B, Reno, NV.
It's a FREE, FAMILY FRIENDLY event for all ages. Everyone is invited to participate and dance, inclusive of our non-native friends.
Powwows gather people from all walks of life and this powwow focuses on sober traditions that reflect RSIC's values and goals. It brings an exciting opportunity to create memorable experiences without the influence of alcohol or substances.
In its 22nd year, everyone in attendance will welcome 2026 with drums, songs, and rounding dancing; all while passing cultural practices from one generation to the next.
Traditionally, Native Americans acknowledge the New Year two weeks before the modern-day January 1st celebration; through the sun, mountains & stars. The old ones used astronomical observations to create calendars and the passing of time. Ceremonies, songs and prayers are held to honor the universe because we are all connected.
The annual New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow does not forget these teachings and honors the dancing, prayers and songs to heal our nations and continue to provide a sober, safe and fun night on the biggest drinking holiday of the year!
Alongside the powwow, there will be Indigenous artists selling handmade beadwork, native-style clothing such as ribbon skirts and traditional foods. Additionally, professional handgame players or traditional gamblers, will be battling bones to cash in as Champions.
All powwow & handgame attendees will be able to partake in free raffle door prizes, the sobriety chip giveaway, cake walks, & more. No one will get bored.
The RSIC New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow began in 2003. The RSIC community was experiencing an increase in drug abuse and a committee was formed, the Drug Elimination Task Force (DETF). The DETF provided work programs for the various RSIC government departments. One of these programs became a notable community event, the Annual New Year’s Eve Pow-Wow: A Sobriety Celebration.
Powwows are festive intertribal events organized by Native Americans where there’s dancing, singing, drumming and socializing with relatives and friends. Health benefits of powwows include strengthening cardiovascular fitness through strenuous dances and providing a positive and transformative experience that can impact mental health and self-esteem.
Handgames, also known as stick games, are traditional Native American guessing games where marked bones or sticks are concealed in the hands of one team while another team guesses their location. The game involves two teams, one hiding the object and the other guessing, accompanied by drumming and singing to distract the guessers. Handgames are not only a form of entertainment but also serve as a means of cultural expression and community bonding, often held during tribal gatherings and festivals. The game has historical significance and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and unity amongst Native American tribes. Overall, handgames are a vital part of Native American culture, providing both physical and social engagement among our communities.
The RSIC New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow & Handgames celebrates and promotes sobriety as it improves physical, mental, emotional, psychological and financial health while cultivating healthier personal relationships.
We hope you and your family can make the time to swing by our sober event.
This event is organized by the RSIC Powwow & Handgame Committees and sponsored by Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center, Travel Nevada, Reno-Sparks Convention Visitors Authority and Nevada’s Indian Territory.
For more info, please contact RSIC Powwow Committee at powwow@rsic.org or Bethany Sam at bsam@rsic.org or 775-842-2902.
About the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony formed a federally recognized government in 1936 under the Indian Reorganization Act. Located in Reno & Sparks, Nev., the RSIC consists of 1350 members from three Great Basin Tribes – the Washoe, Paiute and Western Shoshone tribes. The RSIC is a vibrant, diverse organization, which balances traditional teachings and rich culture with contemporary business methods. Our mission is to offer opportunities for tribal members to improve their lives and enhance tribal values by making community programs, services, and projects available; while educating the general public about our history, culture and modern lifestyle.