Arts and Entertainment

American Indian Powwow marks 10th year of honoring traditions, family values

The 10th New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow is set for April 6 and 7. Credit: Henry GongAll Rights Reserved.

The 10th annual New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. April 6 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 7 at the Mount Nittany Middle School in Boalsburg, Pa. 

Sponsored jointly by Penn State and the State College Area School District, the powwow attracts American Indian dancers and Native Drum Groups from American Indian reservations and communities across North America and Canada.

Powwow coordinator and associate professor in the College of Communications John Sanchez (apache) said, “Everyone, Native or non-Native, is welcome and admission is free.”

American Indian vendors from all over Indian Country such as North Carolina, New Mexico and South Dakota will sell Native-made arts and crafts such as American Indian beadwork, quillwork, turquoise and silver. Native foods such as American Indian frybread, Indian corn soup and buffalo from the Northern Tribal Nations will also be available for purchase. This year on Saturday, April 6, the powwow is hosting an American Indian wedding, an event not often seen even at powwows in Indian Country. The Grand Entry of Dancers begins at noon Saturday and is held again at 6:30 p.m. and only at noon Sunday.

This powwow had more than 6,000 visitors last year and has earned a national reputation as an excellent example of honoring family values and remembering American Indian traditions.

A free shuttle service will be available from the HUB-Robeson Center from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, visit http://www.powwow.psu.edu or contact Sanchez at apache@psu.edu.

Last Updated April 2, 2013