Rose Arena host of 21st annual powwow this weekend

Ulana Klymyshyn cannot recall missing any of the Powwows held at Central Michigan University.

“I like sitting in bleachers and looking down at dancers because there is a swirl of color and movement; it’s really wonderful,” the director of the Multicultural Education said.

The 21st Annual Powwow takes place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in Rose Arena. Saturday’s grand entrance is at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday’s is at noon.

The event is free for CMU students, $7 for the public and $5 for children and elders.

Colleen Green, director of Native American Programs, said the Powwow is a way for people to gather and make friends.

“It’s like a big reunion, also a place where you can meet people,” Green said. “In our culture, we like to have these big reunions where we can come together and meet new people as well as see old friends and family.”

Green said the Powwows are invitations to the community to explore Native American culture. The event will include dancers, drummers and vendors to purchase Native American crafts.

“When you go to a Powwow, we have an emcee (who) will talk about the different dances that we have, and that will give an explanation of what kind of dances there is,” Green said.

Josh Hudson, president of the North American Indigenous Student Organization, has attended Powwows throughout his life and said they are great social gatherings.

“To me, it’s a really beautiful experience,” the Mount Pleasant junior said.

The event will include a dance and drum contest, Green said.

“I think it is very important for the community because we live in such a diverse society now sometimes we forget about the different cultures, so it is a way for us to give back and say, ‘We’re still here, we’re still strong,’ and we invite you in to share in our culture,” she said.