Arts and Entertainment

American Indian powwow to be held April 1 and 2

Patrick Littlewolf, of the Tuscarora tribe, dances the "Duck and Dive" during the 11th annual New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow. Credit: Michelle Bixby / Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s signature diversity event, featuring American Indian dancers and drum groups from communities and reservations across North America, is returning to central Pennsylvania.

The 13th annual New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow will be held April 1-2 at Mount Nittany Middle School in Boalsburg. The powwow is a free and open event that keeps American Indian traditions through family-oriented celebrations of community, culture and spirituality.

The powwow is a contemporary social gathering and celebration of community featuring American Indian drum music and songs, dance and foods, as well as American Indian vendors showcasing and selling their art and crafts.

“Everyone, native or non-native, is welcome, and admission is free,” said powwow coordinator John Sanchez (Ndeh Apache), an associate professor in Penn State’s College of Communications. In addition to watching traditional Native dancing, there are times when non-natives are invited into the dance arena to share an inter-tribal dance.

Regarded as one of the area’s finest family and cultural events, the powwow has also earned a national reputation as one of the best traditional powwows in the country.

More than 6,000 people visited the powwow last year, with many visiting the American Indian kitchen to sample buffalo burgers, frybread and other American Indian foods. A traditional storyteller is also a favorite part of the powwow experience.

The powwow will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 2. There will be a free shuttle to the powwow from the HUB-Robeson Center at Penn State’s University Park campus every 30 minutes during the event.

The New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow is sponsored by Penn State with support from the College of Communications, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, College of Education, Schreyer Honors College, University Libraries, Penn State Alumni Association, Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, Outreach and Online Education, Student Affairs, and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

For more information, visit powwow.psu.edu or contact Sanchez at apache@psu.edu.

Last Updated April 20, 2017