April 6, Lane’s NASA (Native American Student Association) will be hosting this year’s annual Pow Wow, which will take place at the LCC Main Campus inside Titan Coliseum (Lane gymnasium, building #5). This is a family-friendly, free, and public event from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.. All drums and dancers are welcome. No alcohol or drugs are permitted. This is a cultural event with a request for a review of etiquette.
The Pow Wow is a community event and a chance to learn about culture and history, while enjoying local art, food, indigenous music and dancing. The public is also invited to partake with NASA a free salmon dinner that will be hosted at 5:30 p.m. in the Longhouse (Building 31).
Let’s take the time to honor and celebrate the Burns Paiute Tribe, Clatsop-Nehalem Confederated Tribes, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua & Siuslaw Indians, Confederated Tribe of the Grand Ronde, Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians of Oregon, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla Tribes), Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation (Warm Springs, Wasco & Paiute), Coquille Indian Tribe, Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians, Klamath General Council (Klamath, Modoc & Yahooskin), and Lane county community.
Images from past Pow Wows of community members in full regalia
The Pow Wow has taken on different meanings for students that attend Lane, “As an Ojibwe First Nations person, I am far from my Great Lakes tribal location and people. It means a lot for me to connect with other indigenous folks and celebrate our traditions and community together while pursuing my academic and professional goals. Pow-Wow is an exciting time and a lot of work for us student and community volunteers, but very meaningful and rewarding work. I think it’s a great opportunity for us in the community to get together and embrace our traditions.” says, co-chair of NASA, Joel Southall, Software Development AAS student and graphic designer of Pow Wow posters/t-shirt art.
Images from past Pow Wows of community members in full regalia
“I was adopted and grew up feeling very disconnected and lonely. At 13, I went to a Native youth summer camp at the u of o that partnered with Lane community college. That was my first experience being around other Native youth and I remember for the first time feeling like I belonged. There was a beautiful diversity within that camp and I was inspired to reach out and do more in the community. I think the pow- wow is a great opportunity for the community to unite and celebrate diversity in a safe space where we can be our most authentic self. Where we can inspire and lift up one another.” says, Tigerlily Reinhard, member of The Klamath Tribes, Early Childhood Education AAS.
Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to sign up http://bit.ly/powwowvolunteer, to offer assistance at the T-shirts tables, Set-up/Breakdown (tarp covers, tables, chairs, etc.), Cleanup Crew (trash and recycle collection throughout the event), Food service, Longhouse (dinner service prep, setup of tables/chairs and cleanup).
