DURANT, Oklahoma (KXII) - The Choctaw Nation's annual powwow is underway in Durant at the start of Native American Heritage Month.

The event has brought 500 dancers and 10 drum groups from across North America to compete for more than $200,000 in winnings."It just brings good vibes and good medicine for everyone that comes," Kerrie Steve of the Choctaw Nation said.

Hosting dancers from across the U.S. and CanadaSteve said the Choctaw Nation welcomes the dancers who travel from across the U.S. and Canada."It's refreshing that people know Choctaw people and they know that we're going to treat them well whenever they get here," Steve said.