Colorado State University Hosts 16th Annual Powwow
Tuesday, April 29, 1997
FORT COLLINS--Colorado State University will celebrate the
beginning of summer at its 16th annual Powwow May 3-4 on the west
lawn of the Lory Student Center on campus.
The Powwow, sponsored by the Native American Student
Association, is free and open to the public. Traditional food,
Native American jewelry, art and clothing will be on sale. Raffle
prizes will include hand-made rugs, Native American art, pottery
and jewelry.
Traditionally, powwows are a way to give thanks for
bountiful harvests or to celebrate the beginning of summer. At
Colorado State, powwows help unify Native American students who
come to the university from across the United States. Powwows
also bring awareness of Native American culture and tradition to
the campus and community.
"The brightly colored dress and rhythm of the drums intrigue
the audience and pull them into the performances," said Aaron
Benally, an event organizer. "The event is not only interesting
to watch, but it also encourages the public to learn more about
the culture."
The Powwow will open with the grand entry, in which each
dancer, adorned in native dress, enters the room to begin the
festivities. The grand entry is considered one of the most
dynamic events of the Powwow.
Powwows generally last close to 10 hours and are full of
traditional Native American music and dance. One of the many
dances to be performed at the Powwow is the Gourd Dance, a
ceremony that honors war veterans.
Gourd Dances will take place at 10 a.m. May 3 on the west
lawn, with grand entries beginning at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The
program May 4 will be in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student
Center, with gourd dancing at 10 a.m. and a grand entry at 1 p.m.
The event is sponsored by the Native American Student
Association, Native American Student Services, American Indian
Science and Engineering Society, Associated Students of Colorado
State University and the City of Fort Collins' Fort Fund.
Free parking will be available in the Moby Arena parking lot
with disabled parking in the lot north of the student center.
For more information, call Native American Student Services
at (970) 491-1332.
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