Native North American Community celebrates resilience and pride at 51st Powwow in Ann Arbor
Dancers begin the grand entrance in their traditional attire at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Hundreds of people gathered at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor over the weekend to enjoy and celebrate the 51st Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow.
Organized by the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) at the University of Michigan, in collaboration with the Native American Student Association (NASA) at U of M, the cultural event and competition celebrates Native American culture and creates a safe space for community members to share music, dance, traditional clothing, and food, accompanied by independent vendors selling crafts such as bracelets, necklaces, and clothing.
The competition featured modern and traditional dance performances by children and adults, women and men, with various styles such as fancy, traditional, grass, and jingle dress, as well as a contest for the best drum group. The prizes ranged from $300 to $500 for dancers and $1,000 to $5,000 for drumming groups.
The celebration of the annual Powwow, held Saturday and Sunday, highlights the presence and diversity of the Indigenous community members not only from the Great Lakes and Turtle Islands but also from anyone affiliated with an Indigenous tribe across the continent.
The Powwow started at noon with a grand entrance; the beating of drums, chants, and shouts filled every corner of the high school gymnasium for nearly six hours on both days. The sound of the traditional clothing' bells accompanied the rhythm of the drums throughout the event.
As the event began, after the grand entry of the dancers, everyone stood in respect during the Flag Song and Veteran Song, performed in honor of Native American veterans.
Many of these veterans, who served in the Vietnam War era, marched and danced, wearing the traditional clothing of their respective tribal nations. Some of them expressed their disapproval and concern about the current political environment.
The hosting of this powwow coincides with the current tense political climate, with unfavorable news for the Native American community across the country and in Michigan.
The removal and subsequent replacement of articles about Native American veteran heroes on the Department of Defense website, following Trump's anti-DEI order, have raised concerns among veterans.
Additionally, the budget cuts proposed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have threatened institutions serving Native Americans in Michigan.
The drums guide the movement of their bodies. One step forward, another back, a jump, another jump; the arms sway along with the legs. The body leans forward, then back. Everyone dances, following one another in a circle. The eight groups of drummers took turns playing one by one. Everyone was welcome to join the dance.
Some members of the North American Indigenous Student Organization (NAISO) from MSU also attended the powwow and emphasized the support and unity that must be strengthened within the Native American community.
'It is extremely important because, as Native students, especially at large, publicly funded state schools like MSU or U of M, we all face critical and systemic issues that universities impose on us, so we all face similar challenges', said NAISO's co-chair, Maddison Kennedy-Kequom, 23, a comparative cultures and politics student at MSU and a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. 'Understanding these issues from each other and watching over how these administrations deal with them are collective solidarity and community building.'
U of M Native American students expressed their pride and joy in participating in this event, which is so important to their identity; additionally, they also expressed their concern about what it means to be a misrepresented Native American student on campus.
Noemi Tehauno, 20, a linguistics and native American studies student and Comanche nation member, added, 'U of M should improve the environment and support for Native American students, providing more funding and resources about financial aid and scholarships for students, faculty, and staff. Especially, we need a permanent physical space to gather on campus because we don't have a dedicated space for us. We have to rent or reserve it either out or on campus.'
Despite the tense climate that the Native American community has faced and continues to endure, not only in Michigan but across the country, events like this help reaffirm their identities, strengthen unity among the various tribal nations of North America, and instill the value of Indigenous identity in younger generations.
'If it were up to them, we wouldn't be here today. It is deeply unfortunate what is happening with the current administration, but I know we will find a way to flourish as we always have,' said Kennedy-Kequom.
Welcome signs to the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow in Ojibwe at the entrance to Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dancers prepare their traditional clothing before the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow begins at the Skyline High School gymnasium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dancers prepare their traditional clothing before the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow begins at the Skyline High School gymnasium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
A volunteer carries a basket containing herbal or medicine bags at the start of the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dancers begin the grand entrance in their traditional attire at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dancers begin the grand entrance in their traditional attire at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dancers begin the grand entrance in their traditional attire at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
A woman in traditional clothing watches the flag song during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Drummers at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dancers prepare their traditional clothing during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow begins at the Skyline High School gymnasium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dancers prepare their traditional clothing during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow begins at the Skyline High School gymnasium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Drummers singing during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Drummers singing during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing and general public dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Eagle Staff at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Drummer singing during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing getting ready before joining to dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Participants in traditional clothing dance during the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Paintings for sale at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Veterans hats for sale at the 51st annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
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