Annual Pow wow brings native cultures together
This weekend the Native American Student Council (NASC) is putting on their 38th Annual Echoing Traditions Pow Wow in the Nelson Fieldhouse. The festivities are open to the public and kick off on Friday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. with the Grand Entry, where all the dances come together for the opening ceremonies. On Saturday, Feb. 26, there will be another Grand Entry at 12 p.m.
Sandra McCabe, a junior in dietetics and the President of the NASC, said the whole purpose of the Pow Wow is to promote Native American culture as well as create awareness. McCabe has attended various Pow Wows for the past three years and said most universities have Pow Wows and USU’s Pow Wow is meant to celebrate the culture.
Multicultural Program Coordinator Sam Curley said the event is open to the public and people who come usually bring chairs because the bleachers fill up very quickly. He said the Pow Wow was traditionally a gathering of warriors and over time it evolved into a Pow Wow of competitive dancing. Curley said every dance and song has a special and sacred meaning behind it.
One dance in particular started with the Plains Indians and is called the grass dance. Originally, the men of the tribe would do this dance to flatten the grass in an area to prepare it for the other dances and dancers. Curley said now, the dance is a test of endurance and stamina to see how long the male dancers can last in the fast-paced songs that can last up to five or six minutes.
Karrie Begay, a junior in business and marketing, and the vice president of the NASC said the judges award the cash prizes to the dancers based on the best dance moves, stamina and endurance depending on the dance performed. They also can request another song or two to see the dancers perform again.
Begay said the group had received various generous donations from several of the colleges such as the college of HASS, agriculture, engineering and several others on campus.
“There is a philosophy of the Pow Wow,” said Curley. “The circle is to honor mother earth, bring the community together, honor our ancestors and is a symbol of the never ending circle of life.”
Begay said that as a part of honoring their ancestors, the NASC is planning a giveaway prize to the senior citizens. Begay said they plan on giving them fruit baskets that will promote healthy living and show their appreciation for all that they do.
McCabe emphasized the importance of elders when she explained why the eagle feather was sacred in their culture. She said that if an eagle feather falls to the floor from a dancer’s costume, a prayer needs to be said over it by an elder so they can pick it back up.
“The eagle is our grandfather,” said McCabe, “we have that respect for Mother Nature and believe all animals have spirits. The eagle spirit is wisdom.”
Curley said one of the reasons the NASC likes having the Pow Wow on the USU campus is so different Native Americans can experience the campus and see what it might be like to go to school there. He said he hopes those that come will remember the campus later in life and remember the good times they had with the Pow Wow.
Along with the dances, Curley said the club is making fry bread, Navajo tacos and other festive foods, as well as inviting vendors to come and display their handy work such as jewelry and pottery.
The fee to attend this event is $2 for senior citizens and USU students with ID, $3 for the general public and free for children under seven. McCabe said that the NASC would love to have student support and that it would be a great opportunity for students to get a real taste and feel for the culture.
“It’s just a very different experience from when you read about, to when you can actually see it and experience it.” McCabe said.
– jessica.black@aggiemail.usu.edu