SWOSU Indigenous Student Association to Host 7th Annual Spring Powwow

ISA's 6th Annual Spring Intertribal Powwow, 2023.

The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Indigenous Student Association (ISA) is proud to announce the 7^th Annual Intertribal Powwow on Saturday, March 2 from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Pioneer Cellular Event Center on the Weatherford campus. This event, sponsored proudly by ISA and the Dean of Students Office, is made possible in part by SWOSU student fees and sponsors from our community.

The powwow will begin with a gourd dance from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a free meal of beef stew and fry bread. At 6:30 p.m., the Princess Crowning ceremony will take place, leading up to the highlight of the evening, the Grand Entry at 7 p.m. and dance contests to follow throughout the evening hours.

Powwow celebrations are open to the public with free admission, offering a unique opportunity to experience the traditions and regalia of Native American communities. Attendees are encouraged to drop in throughout the day to share a meal, spectate the dance contests, and visit vendor booths selling traditional and nontraditional items and artifacts. This year, 31 vendors will be setting up shop at the powwow, with more expected to join.

ISA's 6th Annual Spring Intertribal Powwow, 2023.

Dancers from across the Native American communities attend these celebrations to showcase their heritage and regalia. Men's dance categories include straight, traditional, grass, and fancy, while women's categories include cloth, buckskin, jingle, and fancy shawl. This year, dance categories have been added to include categories for teen boys, teen girls, a woman's golden age, and a man's golden age. First, second, and third-place winners will receive prizes in each category.

Head Staff for this year include Kevin Soto as the Master of Ceremonies, Kyle Robedeaux as Head Singer and Drum, Jeremy Spotted Bear as Head Man Dancer, Nadia Kent as Head Lady Dancer, TouchCloud Watan as Head Little Boy Dancer, Mercy Wassana as Head Little Girl Dancer, Randy Whitewolf as the Arena Director, and Riverside Indian School as the Color Guard.

ISA's mission is to promote the socialization of Indigenous/Native American students, foster cultural awareness, be a charitable organization in the community, develop relationships between Indigenous/Native American students and non-Natives, and provide quality leadership for all Indigenous/Native Americans. ISA holds regular meetings on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. All SWOSU students are encouraged to attend and learn more about this student organization.

In addition to celebrating indigenous culture, ISA recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Prevention Programs. This partnership signifies a commitment to providing culturally appropriate activities, prevention services, and resources to SWOSU Indigenous/Native American students and non-native students. Through this collaboration, ISA aims to raise cultural awareness, promote holistic wellness, and strengthen relationships within the community.

For more information about ISA or the upcoming powwow, email Yuni Lonebear at [email protected].

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Since 1901, Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has proudly stood on the hilltop in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Offering over 100 affordable undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon, SWOSU provides a diverse range of academic opportunities with high-quality education to its students. The university boasts a vibrant community of nearly 5,000 scholars and over 200 dedicated faculty and staff. With strong academic programs and a commitment to excellence, SWOSU continues to be a top choice for students seeking a quality education.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.