Pow Wow takes place April 5

Annual Buder Center celebration of American Indian culture in its 24th year

The 24th annual Pow Wow, a festival of American Indian cultures at Washington University in St. Louis, will be held Saturday, April 5, in the Field House on the Danforth Campus. The event, hosted by the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies at the Brown School, is free and open to the public.

This year’s theme is “Education: Balance in All We Learn.” The theme is a reminder of the importance of education in community development among American Indians.

“In order to bring together all peoples from different tribal cultures, the Native American students of the Buder Center are hosting our annual Pow-Wow,” said Wynette Whitegoat (Navajo), first-year Pow Wow co-chair. “Our goal is to bring together tribes from all parts of the country to join us for a day of dance, celebration, prayer, and laughter while sharing our strong cultures with the public.

“As native people, we continue to balance education, tradition, and modern teachings to improve native well-being.”

Visitors and participants will be able to enjoy dancing, singing, drumming, arts, crafts and food. Grand entries will take place at noon and at 6 p.m. Traditional arts and crafts booths and community information booths will be open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

“A Pow Wow is where strangers can become friends and connect with one another on a personal level,” said Anna Segovia (Cherokee), second-year Pow Wow co-chair.

The Buder Center, the Women’s Society of Washington University, the Brown School Student Coordinating Council, and the Muscogee-Creek Nation sponsor the Pow Wow. In addition, this year’s event has received funding from the AMB Foundation and the Missouri Humanities Council.

A video depicting the history, traditions and what to expect at a Pow Wow is below. For more information, call 314-935-4510 or visit buder.wustl.edu.

http://youtu.be/jQ-9QCDp9HoWhat is a Pow Wow? Washington University’s Buder Center has been holding them annually for 24 years.