By Caity Arias - Freelancer
Western’s 22nd annual Pow Wow, presented by the Multicultural Student Union will take place Saturday, April 18, in the Pacific room of the Werner Center.
It is an all day celebration of immersing into a culture and experiencing the different customs of food, dancing and music. Many different vendors will be present to represent the beauty of the Native American culture.
Doors open at noon and the event lasts until midnight.
MSU’s fundraising coordinator, Jovany Romero, a junior Spanish major said that “this is one of their biggest events of the year.” Romero added that “a lot of planning goes in to this event. The grand entrance is the biggest part. There are vendors from all over Oregon and tribes to do Native American dancing and drumming.”
The Pow Wow is a reenactment of Native American culture by contemporary people from all walks of life and background. People from around the community join together to share the experience through singing, dancing and eating. The sharing of Pow Wow traditions shows respect and admiration for the history and heritage of Native American culture.
Dancers and drummers will be there to help visualize the Native American culture, as well as a dance competition with categories in fancy dancing, traditional dancing, grass dancing and jingle dancing. A dinner featuring different foods of the Native American culture will be available, too. The presenters of the show include The Master of the Ceremony; Nick Sixkiller, Host Drum; Woodsman, Whipman; Tony
Whitehead, and Flag Bearer; Grand Ronde Honor Guard.
“It is good to experience a different culture and new experience,” Romero said.
Romero said people may participate in a raffle, with the grand prize being a blanket which has been blessed.
The Pow Wow is a great opportunity to submerge oneself in Native American culture.
MSU secretary, Briana Navarrete, a senior double majoring in business and Spanish, said, “I want people to experience and learn the culture, have fun and come back next year.”
