ICAA and Native American and Indigenous Studies Prepare for Annual Powwow
BSU’s Indigenous Cultural Allies Association (ICAA) and the Native American and Indigenous Studies program collaborated to host the “Powwow Etiquette and Education” event on November 16th. The event took place ahead of ICAA’s 12th Annual Powwow which will be held on November 20th in Kelly Gymnasium.
Dr. Joyce Rain Anderson, Coordinator of the Native American and Indigenous Studies program, described powwows as “gatherings hosted by Native peoples, tribes, and organizations. Powwows include drums, dance, and social activities. Sometimes they help educate the public on Indigenous people and sometimes they are to mark a particular time of year…When you come to a powwow, you will see dancers dressed in regalia and hear the drums playing. There will also be Native vendors who sell different items from clothing to jewelry to craftwork and more.”
The purpose of the “Powwow Etiquette and Education” session was to inform the community about how to be respectable attendees and of the tradition as a whole. Dr. Anderson notes that some important pieces of etiquette to be aware of is to “respect, listen, and be open to learning from the people you encounter. The powwow emcee will tell you when it is appropriate to take pictures or what style of dance is being performed.” She continued to add “never go up to someone in regalia and touch them; you may ask about it, and dancers will share what they want. The same for drums—do not sit in the drum circle or touch the drum. If you see a dancer outside the circle, ask permission to take their picture.
Dr. Anderson hopes that at this year’s Powwow everyone will enjoy and learn from the experience. Don’t forget to stop by Kelly Gymnasium on November 20th and have fun at the Annual Powwow!
