The event is IU’s spin on the traditional Native American powwow. It will take place at 11 a.m. Nov. 1 and 2 in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union.
The event is attracting hundreds of participants from across the country to IU-Bloomington this weekend, according to a University press release.
“Powwows originated from the development of intertribal culture, where people share their experience of being native in the United States,” said Brian Gilley, director of the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center. “They present a level of solidarity among the multitribal populations who have disparate political and social agendas. It becomes a meeting point for all of those different cultures.”
The FNECC is presenting the event alongside the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs. Native American Graduate Student Association and the American Indian Center of Indiana are also supporters of the event.
The Wisconsin Dells Singers from Prairie du Sac, Wisc., will represent the southern drum. The members of the Wisconsin Dells Singers are part of either the Ho-Chunk nation or the Bear clan.
The Northern host drum will be the Battle River Singers from Red Lake, Minn. They have been called one of the original singing groups on the powwow trail, according to the University.
The guest emcee will be Terry Fiddler, a Lakota from Red Wing, Minn. He has won several dance competitions.
Nicky Belle, an IU student who is affiliated with the Standing Buffalo Dakota nation, will be the arena ?director.
There will be two lectures leading up to the powwow.
Assistant professor of English Jessica Bardill will give a talk entitled “Narrating Relations: Indigenous and Scientific Ways of Knowing.” Bardill is also an expert on indigenous literatures of the U.S., according to the ?University.
Her talk will begin at 4:15 p.m. Thursday at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures.
The following day, Professor of History and Distinguished Scholar at Elon University Clyde Ellis will speak. His lecture is entitled “Get Up and Dance: The Evolution of Modern Powwow Culture.” The talk will start at 3:30 p.m. in the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology.
Member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes Denny Medicine Bird, Rose State College student and member of the Choctaw nation Buffy Simmons, member of the Oneida and Menominee tribes Darrell Hill and member of the Meskwaki tribe Grace Pushetonequa will perform, according to the University.
Lunch and dinner will be served each day free of charge, and traditional crafts will be available to purchase.
Simple etiquette should be utilized during the event, according to the release.
Attendees are advised to ask permission before taking photos of any performers or other participants and to respect their regalia by asking before touching.
Events will continue throughout the month of November in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
Luncheon speaker
12:45 p.m. Nov. 6
First Nations Educational and Cultural Center,
712 E. Eighth St.
Associate Professor of History and American Studies Christina Snyder will speak. The event is part of the Native American Graduate Student Association Luncheon Speaker Series.
Beading workshop
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 8
FNECC
Master Artisan Marilyn Cleveland of the Cherokee and White Mountain Apache tribes will lead a Native American beading workshop. Registration is required for the workshop. To register contact fnecc@indiana.edu or call 812-855-4814.
Basket weaving workshop
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 10
FNECC
Associate professor emeritus of folklore and Cherokee nation member John W. Johnson will lead a Cherokee basketry weaving workshop. Registration is also required for this workshop.
Taco sale
Noon-7 p.m. Nov. 17
The FNECC will have an Indian Taco Sale.
Kathrine Schulze
