Students to host 10th annual Pow Wow

The Native American Society will celebrate community, spirituality and culture at its 10th annual Spring Contest Pow Wow.

The Pow Wow is scheduled for 2-11 p.m. April 2 in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.

The Pow Wow is a come-and-go event and is open to the public free of charge. Donations to the Native American Society will be accepted.

A gourd dancing session will begin at 2 p.m. The men in attendance will dance around the arena shaking gourds, while the women dance on the sides of the arena. Students are encouraged to participate.

A meal will be provided at 5 p.m., followed by another gourd dance at 6 p.m.

Grand entry begins at 7 p.m. The grand entry is for performers participating in the dance contest. They enter the arena and line up according to their category. Immediately following grand entry, the contest portion of the night begins for students to experience a variety of cultural performances.

“Having a Pow Wow at OCU is important because it helps build awareness on campus of the Native American community,” said Maryann Guoladdle-Davilla, vice president and co-Pow Wow chairwoman for the Native American Society.

“It also lets us, as Native Americans, share a little bit of our culture with people who have not seen or heard anything about contemporary Native Americans.”

The Pow Wow will include a drum contest and a variety of dances to show the different styles in Native American culture.

Prize money will be awarded to first, second and third places for several dance categories including straight, fancy, traditional and grass for adult men, and buckskin, cloth, fancy and jingle for adult women. Students will not participate but may watch this portion of the night.

Guoladdle-Davilla said she expects at least 500 people to attend.

“Our Spring Pow Wow is one that most people look forward to because a lot of vendors come,” Guoladdle-Davilla said. “We also have people from all over Oklahoma being exposed to the school.”

The Native American Society will sell Pow Wow shirts throughout the night, and snacks and refreshments will be available to purchase at the concession stand.

Bekah Wade, business senior, said she does not know much about Native American culture and is glad that OCU provides many culturally educational opportunities.