The Inter-Tribal Student Organization (ITSO) at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will host the Fifth Annual Inter-Tribal Powwow on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9:30 pm in Albee Hall.
The free event’s Grand Entries will take place at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. A dinner break is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Dancers and drummers from throughout Wisconsin will participate in the powwow, representing Wisconsin’s Native American nations. At 1 p.m. and 7 pm, the dancers will enter the arena ceremonially in a Grand Entry, which will be led by the Menominee Veterans. Traditional dances will take place throughout the day.
“We would like people to celebrate native culture and see the ways native traditions—thousands-of-years-old traditions—are still being celebrated and participated in today by contemporary native people,” said Miriam Schacht of the UW Oshkosh Department of English and advisor to the ITSO.
“(Participants) might see dances that people have been doing for hundreds of years,” Schacht said. “They’ll also see kids sitting around on their cell phones. They’ll see that those two things are all part and parcel of the same culture. It’s a celebration. It’s a coming together. We often have alumni—especially native alumni—come back. It’s a chance to be a part of this wide community.”
A moment from the 2013 Inter-Tribal Powwow at UW Oshkosh. Photo: Oshkosh NorthwesternFive invited drum groups featured in this year’s powwow are Smokeytown (the host), Wisconsin Dells Singers, Young Eagle Bear Singers, Grass Whistle and Bad River Youth Singers.
The event is open to the UW Oshkosh students, staff, faculty and the public. UW Oshkosh Quest students are also encouraged to attend. Dress casually—dancers will be wearing regalia when they dance (it is offensive to refer to the regalia as a costume), but visitors generally wear whatever clothes they feel comfortable in. Aside from the Grand Entry, visitors are free to come and go from the arena at any time.
ITSO asks that visitors be respectful of the traditions and the powwow participants. There will be volunteers on hand if anyone has questions.
More information is available at ITSO’s Powwow event page on Facebook.
Vendors will offer a variety of items like handmade jewelry, beauty products, clothing and food.
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