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Spring Pow Wow

April 27, 2024 | Welsh Ryan Arena

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2024 3rd Annual Pow Wow

What is a Pow Wow?

A Pow Wow is a family-friendly, intergenerational cultural celebration held by many Native and Indigenous communities.

This event is open to all and is a space for Native and non-Native people to gather together to dance, eat, socialize, share art, be in community, and much more. 

Learn more at Pow Wow 101 with Dave Spencer

In preparation for NAISA's 3rd Annual Traditional Spring Pow Wow, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion is hosting a virtual session for those interested in learning the elements of a pow wow, basic etiquette, and open Q&A led by Dave Spencer (Mississippi Chata/Diné) from Oka Homma Singers.

 

 

 

Pow Wow Etiquette

  • Don’t point at dancers/at regalia, that’s what your lips and chin are for ;)
  • Be respectful of participants and dancers—dance regalia are not costumes and permission should be asked before taking pictures of a dancer.
  • The Emcee will explain and introduce the different events and dances throughout the Powwow.
    • Always stand during honoring songs including grand entry, flag songs, veteran’s songs, and other songs as designated by the emcee. Hats should also be removed. 
  • Do not enter the dance arena without permission. The arena will be open to general attendees during the following dances: 
    • Intertribal, potato dance, two-step, snake dance, round dance, life givers honor song/matriarchs in our lives, blanket dance, honor songs after those being honored have gone around the circle one time
  • If a drum group is singing or about to sing, do not bother them. Permission should be asked prior to recording. 
  • Chairs closest to the dancing arena are reserved for dancers, singers, and elders.

Who is NAISA?

The Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA) is a student organization on Northwestern University’s campus for Native American and Indigenous students and allies aiming to build a strong community. We also seek to increase visibility and awareness of our distinct cultures and the different experiences and challenges our communities face.

We host weekly gatherings amongst our group where we get to know each other, share food, plan upcoming events and actions, and talk about what’s going on in our lives.

We are so excited to be hosting our second Pow Wow on Saturday April 27, 2024, and to be in community with you all!

Head Staff

  • Emcee: Shannon Martin  |  Citizen of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians - Gun Lake Tribe
    • Shannon Martin (Lynx Clan) is an active citizen throughout “Indian Country.” Since birth, she has participated in ancestral repatriations, ceremonies, pow wows, treaty demonstrations, and other cultural and language events. Shannon has served as an Emcee at various Great Lakes contest and traditional Pow Wows since 2014. She is the Executive Director/Founder of Cultural Pathways Group, LLC, a company that supports the development of cultural activation/preservation initiatives, community-centered organizing, exhibition research/development, NAGPRA repatriation efficacy, and strategic planning for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and institutions. Her clients include the Association on American Indian Affairs, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, Michigan History Center, Mukurtu (Washington State University), and New York Times best-selling author Angeline Boulley as a Subject Matter Expert on her forthcoming second novel “Warrior Girl Unearthed” (May 2023). Shannon is the former Director of the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways (Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan) - dedicating over 19 years to the award-winning cultural center and Tribal museum. Shannon has participated on the national boards for the D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies at the Newberry Library, Honor the Earth, and the Research Advisory Council for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the First Peoples Fund.

Location & Parking

Welsh-Ryan Arena 
Address: 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL, 60208

Free Parking is available at the Welsh-Ryan Arena!

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Code of Conduct

  • This Pow Wow is a welcoming, inclusive, supportive and safe environment for all members of the Northwestern University community and beyond, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression/identity. 
  • In light of the purpose of a pow wow and alignment of NAISA values, we prohibit harassment including anti-blackness, anti-indigeneity, sexual violence, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and all other forms; it will not be tolerated.
  • We also prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs at this event.
  • If you do not follow these expectations, you will be asked to leave.

Call for Vendors

Thank you for your interest in being a vendor at the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance's 3rd Annual Spring Pow Wow at Northwestern University!

This year's Pow Wow will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Welsh Ryan Arena (2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL).  Doors will open at 11 am with Grand Entry at 12 pm.  The Pow Wow will conclude at 5 pm. 

We will let you know if you've been accepted as a vendor on a rolling basis. Booth spaces are free of cost.

Due to limited space, we may not be able to accept all vendors that apply. However, we will keep a waitlist if needed. The Pow Wow committee will prioritize Indigenous vendors.
We can provide 1 folding table and 1 chair per vendor booth. If you are accepted as a vendor, we will send out more information on the number of tables and chairs you may bring for your booth. 

The deadline to submit an application is March 22, 2024. 

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to the pow wow planning committee at naisapowwow@gmail.com

Vendors must comply with US Federal Public Law 101-64, known as the “Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990".
APPLY HERE

Call for Volunteers

Sign up sheet coming soon!

Thank you to our sponsors!

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