2024 Spring Social Pow Wow

 

The 2024 Spring Social Pow Wow is presented by the Tucson Indian Center and the University of Arizona

Our Purpose

The purpose of our 2024 Spring Social Pow Wow is to gather our local Native American and non-Native American community members together for a celebration of Native American cultural dancing, singing, artistry, health, wellness, and prayer. It is an important cultural event that reinforces cultural traditions and highlights the many different backgrounds of our Native American student population at the university. There are approximately 150 different tribal communities represented on our campus and over 570 federally recognized tribal communities in the U.S. 

The Tucson Indian Center is a local social service and health agency that provides a variety of support services for thousands of urban Native American community members. They are an important community partner for our University of Arizona students, faculty, and staff. 

History of Pow Wow at the University of Arizona

The collaboration between the Tucson Indian Center and the University of Arizona in this endeavor is historical in that both entities have hosted their own individual pow wow in previous years. The last “University of Arizona Wildcat Pow Wow” was held 10 years ago. In its most prominent years, during the 1990’s, it was organized and run by student organizations on campus.

When:

We invite the entire Tucson and campus community to join us at the upcoming 2024 Spring Social Pow Wow on Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10:00am-7:00pm at the University of Arizona Bear Down Field, located at 1440 E 4th St. Tucson, AZ 85719.

There will be free admission for the entire day beginning with the Tucson Indian Center’s Fun Run/Walk beginning at 9:00am, registration for the event starts at 8:30am.

Sponsors include: 

The Tucson Indian Center, the Office of Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement, Native American Student Affairs, the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice, the Indigenous Resilience Center, Native American Initiatives, Native SOAR, and IndigiWellbeing. 

Brought to you by the Tucson Indian Center and the University of Arizona 

Saturday, April 13th 

Bear Down Field, University of Arizona

All Dancers, Drum Groups, and Royalties are invited!

Open to the General Public

Agenda:

9am- Fun Run (University Blvd/UA Mall)

10:00am- Registration & Marketplace opens

10:45am- Welcome from Jacob Bernal & Blessing provided by Quinton Antone

11:00am- Gourd Dance hosted by the Southwest Gourd Society

1:00pm- 1st Grand Entry  

3:00pm- Afternoon Break

  • UA Fruit Scramble 
  • TIC Giant Volleyball 

4:00pm- 2nd Grand Entry  & Community Leadership Recognition

7:00pm- Closing

Primary Contacts

Nickolis Joe: njoe@ticenter.org (Tucson Indian Center)

Julian Juan: julianjuan@arizona.edu (University of Arizona)

Angela Nasewytewa: anasewytewa@ticenter.org (Vendors)

 

HEADSTAFF

Headman- Allen King (Zuni, Pueblo, Navajo)

Headwoman- Kate Begay (Tohono O’odham, Ogala Lakota) 

Head Youngman- Tyrell Phillips (Navajo)

Head Youngwoman- Tahtae Begay (Tohono O’odham/ Ogala Lakota/ Navajo)

Master of Ceremonies- Ryan Rumley

Arena Director – Dwayne Pierce (Cayuse/ Tohono O’odham)

Blessing- Quinton Antone (Tohono O’odham)

Northern Drum- Starpoint

Southern Drum- Greasewood Singers

Host Gourd- Southwest Gourd Society 

Color Guard- Yoeme Post 125 (Pascua Yaqui Tribe)

Powwows are social gatherings of different tribes that include singing, dancing, food, and artisan vendors.

The dancers will wear regalia that is coordinated to their style of dance. Each dance is unique in its own way, but also in how the dancer may decide to make it their own.

The singers will sit with their own drum group. Usually each drum group will take a turn singing a song, “passing” it off to the next group.

For the dancers, most will dance clockwise except for some who dance counterclockwise in the pow wow arena. The arena is where the dancers will go with the drum groups typically surrounding them.

There are separate dances just for a specific dancer, such a Jingle dress or Men’s fancy. In between the songs for a specific dance, there are Intertribals. These are songs where all the dancers can dance together. At some pow wows, people who are not dancing may be allowed to go into the arena and dance during the intertribal, if allowed by the MC.

There are typically vendors who sell food or arts and crafts. Most typically only take cash. They will sell anything from artwork, beaded jewelry, or clothing. Food vendors will sell anything from popovers, Indian tacos, lemonade, etc. They also typically only take cash.

This is public event and open to all. 

  • Parking is free. 
    • The closest parking to the event will be Cherry Avenue Garage: 1641 E Enke Drive. Accessible parking also located in the garage.
    • Surface lots are also free and available for parking on this day. 
BearDown Field and Cherry Ave Garage Parking Map

  • Entrance
    • General Public entrance to the event will be at the North Gate of Bear Down Field. 
  • Fee
    • This is a FREE EVENT. There is no entrance fee, however, there is a registration check-in upon entry. 
  • Photos 
    • By entering, you acknowledge and agree to a media release that you may be photographed or a part of videography. If you wish to not be photographed, you may obtain a sticker to wear while visiting. Photography of dancers must obtain permission or written consent to be used. 
  • Money
    • Most vendors accept cash as a form of payment. Some, but not all, may take card or digital payments. This includes food trucks and the marketplace. 
  • Chairs 
    • Please bring your own chairs to sit on. Some may be provided, but these will be used for elders and those guests with mobility issues. 
  • Sun Protection
    • There will be no shade provided and the weather will be warm. Please plan accordingly.
  • Hospitality 
    • There will be a hospitality tent provided for vendors, dancers, and volunteers of the event. There will also be first aid and security on site for any incidents that may arise. 
  • Educational Resources 
    • Educational booths will also be present. Please make sure to stop by and learn about the various programs that are serving the greater Tucson and campus community. 

  • Photos 
    • Photos are normally allowed, but always ask first. Please respect a dancer's wishes if they say no. 
  • Regalia 
    • Never pull or touch someone's regalia without their consent. This is not a costume. 
  • Pow Wow Arena
    • Never enter the arena unless you are a dancer, singer, or given permission from the MC. 
  • The MC and Arena Director are in charge.
    • Please respect the customs, directions, and traditions that are set by the MC and Arena Director. 
  • Direction
    • When entering the arena as a dancer or as an invited guest, always go clockwise and follow instructions provided by MC and/or Arena Director. 

 

  • Drugs 
  • Alcohol
  • Weapons
  • Dogs (only service animals will be allowed)

  • No Canopies (umbrellas are encouraged)

     

  • Parking

    • Parking is free. 
      • The closest parking to the event will be Cherry Avenue Garage: 1641 E Enke Drive. Accessible parking also located in the garage.
      • Surface lots are also free and available for parking on this day. 
    BearDown Field and Cherry Ave Garage Parking Map

  • Vendor Entrance 
    • The Vendor Entrance is located to the South of Bear Down Field. Please make sure you obtain a wristband to identify yourself as vendor. 
  • Hospitality 
    • There will be a hospitality tent provided for vendors, dancers, and volunteers of the event. 
  • Contact

 

Disclaimer: The University of Arizona, its groups, the Tucson Indian Center, and event sponsors will not be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage that may be incurred to the participants, property, or to any other person prior to, during, or subsequent to this event.