MILTON -- Dancing has always been significant in the lives and culture of Native Americans. The dances play an important role in everything from celebration to ceremony. It is also the centerpiece of the 43rd Annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow scheduled for Septe. 10-12 at Hudson Fields 30045 Eagle Crest Road.

Dancers and drummers from around the country and the Nanticoke tribe will take center stage Saturday and Sunday at noon to share their culture through dance. As many as 40 different tribes and their traditions may be represented at the powwow.

“The education piece is so important,” said Keith Anderson, assistant chief of Nansemond Indian Nation in Virginia and a lead dancer at this year’s powwow. Wearing more than 80-pounds of regalia, Anderson is ready to step into the ring and direct more than100 male dancers through many variations of dance while an emcee explains the steps and the significance of the dance.

Anderson is part of Red Crooked Sky, a Native American dance troupe that’s performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, before the Dalai Lama and around the world.

“It is a privilege to be an ambassador of this community,” said Anderson.

There are many different types of dances at the powwow, fancy, straight and jingle with names like shawl, rabbit, snake, sneak and the toe dance, a Nanticoke specialty where dancers remain on their toes throughout, never touching their heels to the ground.

“It feels like the right way,” said Adrienne Harmon, a member of the Nanticoke tribe and the lead dancer for the women dances. “We are doing something to make the elders and ancestors proud.”

Harmon hopes their dancing helps people learn about her culture and that it might inspire people. She teaches dance to the youth members of the tribe.

“I want to show generations to come to be proud of who you are and where you came from,” said Harmon.

This year the beat for the dances will come from drum groups Red Blanket of New Jersey and Stoney Creek of North Carolina, both nationally known Native American drum groups.

Dancers will be available to take people’s questions after the dancing. Visitors to the powwow are reminded to please ask permission before taking any photos with members of the different tribes.

Powwows were traditionally defined as a gathering of native people, but has turned into a cultural celebration including dance, music and food. Past Nanticoke powwows have hosted more than 30,000 people over the course of the weekend.

The 43rd Annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow opens on Friday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m. with a vendor preview and pig roast.

Saturday runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with two dance sessions. The Grand Entry, a parade of dancers, will take place at noon.

Sunday will open with church services at 8:30 and 10 a.m. with one dance session with Grand Entry at noon. Shuttles will be available in the parking lot to bring people to the entrance all three days.

Cost is $8 for adults, $5 children 11 to 17, and free to children under 10.

No smoking, alcohol or drugs. Animals/pets are strictly prohibited, except for service animals which must display proper credentials.

The Nanticoke Indians are the native people of lower Delaware. In Algonquian, the common Indian language of Northeastern tribes, the word Nanticoke is translated from the original Nantaquak meaning the tidewater people or people of the tidewaters. First contact with the Nanticoke Tribe was recorded by Captain John Smith in 1608 when he was exploring the Chesapeake Bay and sailed up what is known today as the Nanticoke River.

Today there are about 700 members of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe Association and more than 2,000 people who can trace their heritage back to the tribe. For more information about the Nanticoke online.

Hudson Fields, located at 30045 Eagle Crest Road  is an outdoor venue featuring sports activities, concerts, food and festivals. For more information go online.