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Press Release - 2012 PowwowMedia Contacts:
Deborah Greene, U-M, [email protected], 734.763.4008
Forrest Cox, Native American Student Association, [email protected]
Event Announcement- for immediate release
The 40th Dance for Mother Earth Powwow will convene March 17 & 18
Ann Arbor, MI (February 15, 2012) - It’s time again for the annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, where thousands of people from Michigan, across the U.S., and Canada gather to celebrate and learn about Native American culture and traditions.
Forty years after a small group of Native American students and community members founded the annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow in Ann Arbor, it has evolved into a popular community-wide event hosted by the Native American Student Association at the University of Michigan.
Today, it is one of the largest university powwows in the nation; according to USA Today Travel, it is one of “10 great places to be wowed by American Indian culture.”
The 2012 Powwow will continue the tradition of providing a gathering place for Native Americans to celebrate and share their culture with one another, and for others who are interested in learning about our country’s strong indigenous heritage. This year’s Powwow will host over 150 dancers, 12 drums, and over 33 vendors/artists from across the nation and throughout Indian Country. In addition, there will be special celebrations to pay tribute to 40 strong years of powwowing for Mother Earth.
Over the past year, the Powwow Committee, composed mostly of Native American students and community members, have diligently worked, in collaboration with the University, to bring the Powwow a step closer to returning to the University of Michigan campus. This year, the Powwow will be held at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School as part of this transition.
Join us as we aim to cultivate a stronger Native community at the 40th Dance for Mother Earth Powwow March 17&18.
Head Staff
Head Veteran: George Martin
Master of Ceremonies: Jason Whitehouse
Arena Director: Dave Shananaquet
Head Drum Judge: Harvey Dreaver
Head Male Dance Judge: Will Hedgepeth
Head Female Dance Judge: Punkin Shananaquet
Head Male Dancers: Jefferson Ballew, Michael Fish, Travis Schuyler
Head Female Dancers: Elizabeth Ballew, Beedoskah Stonefish, Shannon White
Drums in Attendance
Host: Medicine Tail
Co-Host: Painted Rock
Invited:
Blue Moon Rising
Crazy Spirit
Crazy Bear
Dusty Bear
Kingbird Singers
Ribbon Town
Southern Straight
Tha Tribe
Thunder Bear
War Club
Dates and Times (Doors open to public daily at 10:30 a.m.)
Saturday, March 17,
Grand Entries will be at 12pm and 7pm;
Sunday, March 18,
Grand Entry will be at 12pm
Location
Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, 601 W Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(across the street from U-M Big House stadium)
Dancer Registration
Registration forms for dance competitions can be found on our website. Registration is provided on site, it costs $10 for entry to compete and a weekend pass.
Non-competing dancers are welcome, regular admission is required.
Tickets:
$5/youth; $7/students with ID; $10/adults; $25/family (2 adults & 3 children) Discounted group rates for 10+ persons are available for advance purchase only.
Additional information: http://www.umich.edu/~powwow/
Contests details and rules can be found on our website.
The 40th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow ishosted by the Native American Student Association at the University of Michigan. Co-sponsors include the U-M Office of the Senior Vice Provost; Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs; Office of the Vice President for Global Communications and Strategic Initiatives; School of Information; the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute; Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives; the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs and Trotter Multicultural Center; National Center for Institutional Diversity; Center for Educational Outreach; U-M Central Student Government;[co-sponsor list in formation]