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ASU's West campus hosts traditional pow-wow


October 30, 2008
The Fletcher Library Lawn at Arizona State University’s West campus will come alive with the sights and sounds of Native drummers and dancers on Saturday, Nov. 8, during the Veterans Day Weekend Traditional Pow-Wow. The event, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 4701 W. Thunderbird Road in Phoenix, is free and open to the public.

In addition to dance performances, the pow-wow features two music and dance grand entries, Native arts and crafts, and food booths offering fry bread, Indian tacos, and more.

“The event’s theme is ‘A Celebration of Native Veterans,’ and American Indian veterans are especially encouraged to attend,” says Heidi Maxwell, West campus events manager. “They will be welcomed and thanked for their service to our country at 5:30 p.m.”

The day’s schedule is:

10 a.m. – Performance by Silver Wolf Flutes

11 a.m. – Gourd dancing

Noon – Grand entry

4 p.m. – Dinner break/Performance by Red Tail Hawk bird singers

5:30 p.m. – Welcome and acknowledgement of veterans

6 p.m. – Gourd dancing

7 p.m. – Grand entry

10 p.m. – Closing

Participants include Announcer Chuck Benson, Head Gourd Dancer Keith Tagaban, Head Man Dancer Joel Shopteese, Head Woman Dancer Sue Sixkiller, Head Boy Dancer Avery Moore, Head Girl Dancer Jazyme Jones, Northern Drum Saste Takoja, and Southern Drum Panther Creek Singers.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a toy to support a holiday toy drive, and to bring their own lawn chairs. (Limited seating will be provided for tribal elders.) As part of ASU’s effort to promote sustainability, visitors also are encouraged to bring their own containers for drinking water. Water stations will be provided to reduce the use of plastic bottles.

The pow-wow is sponsored by several groups and offices at ASU’s West campus, including the Native American Events Committee, Native American Student Organization, Public Affairs Office, and Black Student Union. The Native American Student Association at Glendale Community College is a co-sponsor and is organizing the holiday toy drive.

For more information, call (602) 543-5306.