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15th annual powwow succeeds despite initial funding issues
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The Boise State Student Union Jordan Ballroom was bursting with excitement Saturday, March 22 at the Intertribal Native Council’s annual Seven Arrows Powwow. The powwow was a two-day event that featured native dances and approximately 20 vendors from various states. A $2,500 print by acclaimed photographer and Boise State professor Larry McNeil was raffled.
INC began the semester with debt it acquired last year, and some thought the powwow wouldn’t be feasible. INC President Hailey Wilson did not believe canceling the powwow was an option.
Since August, she held fundraisers and exhausted her resources, including college deans, community members and other Boise State clubs. INC members and approximately 34 sponsors, the SUB and a fourth-grade class from Highland Elementary volunteered, allowing the powwow to be a success.
“I think it’s noteworthy that this is the biggest event on campus put on by a student organization,” Wilson said.
The powwow featured a dance competition with dancers who travel and compete at events all over the country. More than 100 participants attended the first day’s events. The dance categories were women’s traditional, fancy and jingle; girls’ traditional, fancy and jingle; junior girl’s traditional, fancy and jingle; men’s traditional, fancy and grass; and teen and juniors’ traditional fancy and grass.
Tai Simpson, the public relations officer for the INC, said a dozen tribes were represented at the powwow, including every tribe from the Northwest. Powwows are an important part of the native culture.
“It’s a celebration of our families and community,” Simpson said. “When we dance, we dance in a circle and that circle represents the circle of life.”
Simpson said these events are important now more than ever, because their culture is so challenged and they provide strength. It is in these powwows that they can find strength, Simpson said.
SONIA TREVIZO
News Writer