Feathers, beads and other Indigenous regalia are returning to Desert Financial Arena for the 37th annual ASU Pow Wow April 17-19.
Indigenous powwows are cultural gatherings that bring community together through singing, dancing and personal expression.
The word "powwow" comes from the term Pau Wau, meaning "medicine man" in Narrtick. It was originally misused by early European settlers as a term for Native gatherings, but was later reclaimed and redefined by Native communities.
With three nights full of dancing and celebration, the ASU community plans to gather to celebrate Indigenous culture.
"It's a safe space that's provided for people to come together and connect with their culture and celebrate their culture and identity," Tahnee Baker, ASU professor and powwow organizer, said. "When we have ASU students who are living away from home, I think that's especially important."
Tickets for the ASU Pow Wow can be purchased through Ticketmaster, and attendees can park in Lot 59 right outside the arena for free throughout the weekend.
The ASU Pow Wow will begin on April 17 at 6 p.m. with the 47th annual Ms. and Mr. Indigenous Pageant, which will lead into the Grand Entry an hour later.
The Grand Entry happens at the beginning of each day's events. It consists of a large parade entering the powwow area, following a color guard — usually consisting of elders carrying their flags and wearing their regalia.
After the Grand Entry, a night of dancing and celebration takes place. Other powwow events include intertribal dancing and dancing contests, a Tiny Tot Grand Entry, Gourd Dance sessions and more.
The ASU Pow Wow has grown significantly over the years. It was previously held where the current Verde Dickey Dome is and at the Band Practice Field. Just before COVID-19, the powwow was moved to Mountain America Stadium, and now it takes place in Desert Financial Arena.
Being in the arena, it is one of the last powwows to take place indoors, as many powwows transition to outside during the summer months, said Silas Whitebuffalo, a men's fancy dancer at the powwow.
Whether in the A/C or in the heat, powwows still celebrate with dance.
Every dancer has their own background and heritage, and the powwow is where everyone comes together to celebrate their culture.
"My favorite part is dancing, because that's kind of where I find a lot of my peace and joy," Whitebuffalo said. "It's something I really love to do. It's a big passion of mine."
Alongside the dancing and celebration, the biggest part of the ASU Pow Wow is the sense of community it brings.
"You see someone at one powwow, they'll be at this powwow," Svea Komori, the ASU Pow Wow vendor coordinator, said. "You see the same people, and it's nice. It really is a community."
While the powwow is so community-focused, it is also heavily family-oriented.
Baker said she followed in her father's footsteps to become the powwow organizer, similarly to Whitebuffalo, whose father inspired him to start dancing and to become a third-generation dancer.
"My dad was a really big inspiration to getting me into the powwow world," Whitebuffalo said. "From there, I had a lot of other people that I looked up to, and other people that mentored me and put me in a good space in powwow."
READ MORE Powwows at ASU: A living legacy of Indigenous culture
Vendors will also sell jewelry, crafts, food and more.
"(The vendors) make all the jewelry, the clothing, the pottery, the art. I mean, it's all handmade," Komori, who also owns a custom bead-making small business, said. "It's like a small art show."
Whitebuffalo noted that observers and attendees should ask before taking any pictures and refrain from touching the regalia out of respect.
The powwow isn't only for the Indigenous community; it's open to all students and community members of all ages.
"It's an event for everybody," Baker said. "If you come with an open mind and an open heart and just are willing to sit and listen and observe and participate when it's appropriate, I think it's a great opportunity."
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Katrina Michalak, Emilio Alvarado and Pippa Fung.
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Jen Hamilton is a freshman studying Journalism and Mass Communications with a minor in Political Science. This is their first semester with The State Press.
