Traditional American Indian dancers and Native Drum Groups from American Indian reservations and communities across the United States and Canada will travel hundreds, some thousands, of miles to the State College area this weekend for the Penn State Traditional American Indian Powwow — considered one of the finest Traditional American Indian powwows in or outside of Indian Country.
The 17th annual powwow will be held in a new location this year: the C3 Sports Complex, 200 Ellis Place, State College. The powwow runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The Grand Entry of Dancers begins at noon and again at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and only at noon on Sunday. Admission to the event is free.
Penn State recognizes the powwow as a signature cultural event and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau has recognized it as a premier family-friendly event for the region.
One of the powwow traditions is to honor veterans at the start of the event, and this year the head veteran dancer will again be Mitchelene BigMan (Crow Nation) with the Native American Women Warriors Color Guard bringing in the colors. Founded by BigMan, this all-female Native American veteran’s organization has been the color guard for two U.S. presidential inaugurations and many national meetings for and about American Indian concerns in the United States.
Additionally, American Indian vendors from all over the country, including Cherokee, North Carolina; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Pine Ridge, South Dakota, will be on site to sell Native-made beadwork, quillwork, silver, turquoise and wampum.
Native foods such as American Indian frybread, corn soup and buffalo from the Northern Tribal Nations will be available for purchase as well.
This powwow typically attracts thousands of visitors and has earned a national reputation as an excellent example of honoring family values and maintaining American Indian traditions.
For a complete schedule and more information, please visit powwow.psu.edu or contact John Sanchez, powwow coordinator, at [email protected].
