NDSU is set to host the 29th annual Woodlands and High Plains Powwow on Saturday, April 14, at Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse. The theme is “Celebrating Life. Creating Our Future.”
Jered Pigeon, coordinator for NDSU’s multicultural programs, is the event’s committee chair. He said the powwow will celebrate the academic accomplishments and achievements of American Indian college graduates.
“The event will have more than 1,500 attendees throughout the day,” Pigeon said. “We will have authentic American Indian fry bread tacos, community informational booths and commercial vendors from more than three states who will be selling authentic American Indian crafts, jewelry, pottery and other beadwork items. In addition, we will honor and recognize murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.”
Grand entries are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feast time is set for 5 p.m. in the Memorial Union lower-level food court.
“During the grand entry, you will see over 150 dancers in regalia from the tri-state area, while hearing the beat of the drum, a sound many Native Americans refer to as the heartbeat of Mother Earth,” Pigeon said.
Powwow participants will include:
• Emcee – Mickey Hodges, Waubun, Minnesota
• Arena director – Michael Gabbard, Delaware tribe
• Host drum – Buffalo River, Moorhead, Minnesota
• Head female dancer – Brianna Bradley, Three Affiliated Tribes
• Head male dancer – Samuel Goodhouse, Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Nation
• Honor guard – White Earth veterans
• Spiritual adviser – Laidman Fox Jr., Spirit Lake Nation
Admission is $3 for elders 55 years of age and up, $3 for youth, ages 6-18 and $5 for adults. The event is free for students from NDSU, Minnesota State University Moorhead, M State and Concordia College with student ID. Children 5 and under also are admitted free.
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