Native American Pow Wow aims to break down barriers
The 31st annual Native American Pow Wow, hosted by the Native American Student Council (NASC), began Friday at 7 p.m. in an effort to break down barriers and misunderstandings, Native American Outreach Service coordinator Sam Curley said.
The Pow Wow continued Saturday beginning at noon in the Fieldhouse at Utah State University.
Curley said the Pow Wow was started in 1973 by a group of American Indian students who had the “vision, strength and fortitude to break down barriers and misunderstandings.”
The Pow Wow has taken on the form of an educational opportunity to teach people about the Native American culture, he said.
Curley said traditionally the gatherings were served for medicine men and leaders to come together and perform ceremonies to honor specific dates that had taken place over the past year and to honor warriors.
Powwow’s continue today, but now incorporate a dance competition. There are representations of the legends that embody traditional stories through dance.
Curley said the dances also portray strength, agility, grace and stamina. He also said some of the dances represent animals, Earth and its creations.
The dance competition was primarily Saturday’s focus, but ceremonies also took place.
Craig Reeder, a senior at Logan High, said, “I like the Pow Wow because I get to dance and be with my friends.”
The Pow Wow included chairs and bleachers surrounding dancers in their traditional clothing dancing in a big circle. There were also drummers and chanters.
Astrid Melchart, a graduate student majoring in English American studies, said, “I love it. I was encouraged to come by my professors of American studies.”
She said she really enjoyed the chants with the drums.
There were also food tables, as well as people selling Native American jewelry.
“The Pow Wow is a time for people to come together to celebrate the circle of life,” Curley said. “It’s for families, to renew friendships, and to meet new people.”
He said the Pow Wow was for everyone to learn about Native Americans and their traditions. It was what is called an intertribal Powwow, meaning that it was open to everyone.
“We invited the public to be here to learn more about who we are, and what we do, and why we do the things that we do,” Curley said. “And [to see] why our language, heritage, and culture are important to us.”
He said the Pow Wow was to perpetuate the things that they as Native American adults have, such as important values, and to teach those to the Indian community and to their youth so they can embody and take on the qualities that some of the dances represent.
Qualities, for example would be those of an eagle, Curley said.
“The eagle represents strength, courage, and wisdom as it spirals skyward to the heavens, and how much control an eagle must have to endure that,” he said. “The same it is with life as we as individuals encounter personal difficulties, whether it be with substance abuse, relationships, or marital problems, and how to best approach those things we find difficult in life to endure that and take on responsibilities that would help our people and take our place in society.”
He said there were many sponsors from the local community, as well as from university departments who helped put on the Pow Wow. Students also did fundraisers for the event.
Curley said he loved how the students came together and how organized they were.
J.D. Stevens, a freshman majoring in biology, said his multicultural leadership class asked for volunteers for the event, and he decided to volunteer. He liked the dancing and the drums.
“The students really cared about the Pow Wow and they made sure that the public was welcome and was having an enjoyable time,” he said.
-sarahwest@cc.usu.edu
Children play around a tee-pee that was set up in the Fieldhouse Friday and Saturday for the Native American Pow Wow. The Pow Wow had 11 drum groups and 119 dancers. (Photo by Michael Sharp)
Dancers swirl and swoop swinging the fringes and tassels of their shawls in the fancy shawl dance at the Pow Wow. (Photo by Michael Sharp)
Elaborate fans of eagle feathers are strapped to this dancer´s back and he performs in the men´s fancy dance at the Native Amerian Pow Wow held Friday and Saturday in the Fieldhouse. (Photo by Michael Sharp)