Minnesota State Community and Technical College announced Friday that they would be sponsoring the upcoming 31st Annual Woodlands & High Plains Powwow.
The event is one of the most popular cultural events in the Fargo Moorhead area. The powwow will be from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 2, in Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Concordia College.
The theme of this year’s event is Generational Resilience. Joining M State and Concordia as powwow sponsors are North Dakota State College of Science, North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead.
“M State is proud to support and honor Native Americans in the region,” said Jocelyn Santana, M State Dean of Equity and Inclusion. “Powwows have a complex history within the United States and have been symbolic in resistance to colonization and reclaiming of Indigenous culture. I encourage the M State community to join the celebration and honor our Native American graduates.”
Grand entries by participating dancers are set for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and a meal will be served during the break at 5 p.m. Regular admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children ages 6-17 and elders ages 55 and older; and free for children 5 and under. Admission is free with a school ID from any of the sponsoring colleges or universities.
“I encourage everyone to attend as we experience and celebrate Native American culture,” said M State Associate Director of Equity and Inclusion Dilvin Habib. As a member of this year’s powwow planning committee, she had the honor and privilege of working collaboratively with both Tri-College and community partners on planning for the powwow.
Head dancers are Dennis Williams and Alexa Gabbard, with White Earth veterans serving as the honor guard.
