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Press Release - 2013 PowwowMedia Contacts:
Media Contacts:
Deborah Greene, U-M, [email protected], 734.763.4008
Forrest Cox, Native American Student Association, [email protected]
Isa Gailard, Native American Student Association, [email protected]
Event Announcement- for immediate release
The 41st Dance for Mother Earth Powwow returns to U-M Crisler Center, April 6 & 7
Ann Arbor, MI (March 25, 2013) - On April 6 and 7, the 41st Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow will host approximately 200 dancers, 10 drums, and more than 40 vendors and artisans to celebrate Native American cultures and languages, traditions and foods from around the U.S. and Canada.
This year also marks Dance for Mother Earth’s return to U-M’s newly renovated Crisler Center.
According to USA Today Travel, Dance for Mother Earth is one of the “10 great places to be wowed by American Indian culture.” It is a celebratory and educational family-friendly event that is alcohol and drug-free event and fully handicap accessible.
Now one of the largest university powwows in the nation, the 2013 Dance for Mother Earth Powwow continues to provide a gathering place for Native Americans to celebrate and share their culture with one another and with the broader community. This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn about our nation’s strong indigenous heritage and its contemporary expression.
Rooted in traditional Native cultures, Dance for Mother Earth was founded by a small group of U-M Native American students and community members to celebrate and honor the sacred relationships between the people and the planet. As current sponsor of the event, the Native American Student Association at U-M carries that tradition forward each year.
Some highlights of the 2013 Powwow include dance specials for the traditional men’s category, in which participants connect to the traditional ways through movement — hosted by Alex Alverez of the Medicine Tail drum group. Everyone in attendance will be invited to join the non-competitive, informal two-step social dance special, hosted by the head dance judges Elizabeth and Jefferson Ballew.
An honor song in memory of Native American veteran Art Brant, head of Powwow security for many years, will commemorate his decades-long leadership and dedication to Dance for Mother Earth.
Additional information about the 41st Dance for Mother Earth Powwow:
www.umich.edu/~powwow
Twitter: @UmichPowwow
Background: The Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow planning is led by the students of the Native American Student Association (NASA) at U-M in collaboration with the University of Michigan and strong community backing from local powwow veterans. Returning the Powwow to the U-M campus aims to re-establish an inter-tribal space where cultural practices such as drum and dance competitions, singing, and Native American cooking, support the growth of the Native student community. In 2012, NASA collaborated with the U-M to discuss the possibility of bringing the Powwow back to campus. NASA has achieved their goal through diligent efforts of NASA students, strong community backing, and the overall ambition to sustain a heritage of Native American presence on U-M’s campus and in the greater Ann Arbor area.
Head Staff
Head Veteran: George Martin
Master of Ceremonies: Jason Whitehouse
Arena Director: Dave Shananaquet
Head Drum Judge: RJ Smith
Head Male Dance Judge: Jefferson Ballew
Head Female Dance Judge: Elizabeth Ballew
Head Male Dancers: Wesley Cleland, Talon Whiteye, Courage Cleveland
Head Female Dancers: Tracy Recollet, Waskwane Stonefish, Nyomi Cleveland
Drums in Attendance
Host: Crazy Bear (Mt. Pleasant, MI)
Co-Host: Painted Rock (Belleville, MI)
Invited Drums:
Medicine Tail (Alabama)
Crazy Spirit (Mt. Pleasant, MI)
Wisconsin Dells (Prairie Du Sac, WI)
Tha Tribe (Onieda, WI)
Dusty Bear (Mt. Pleasant, MI)
Young Kingbird Singers (Blackduck, MN)
Southern Straight (Fulton, MI)
Hochunk Station (Lyndon Station, WI)
Smokey Town (Northern Wisconsin)
Eyabay (Clear Rapid, MI)
Dates and Times (Doors open to public daily at 10:30 a.m.)
Saturday, April 6
Grand Entries will be at 12pm and 7pm
Sunday, April 7
Grand Entry will be at 12pm
Location
Crisler Center (formerly, Crisler Arena) on the University of Michigan Campus in Ann Arbor 333 E. Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. (Next to the U-M “Big House” football stadium)
Parking
University Athletics will be charging $5 per vehicle entering the lot adjacent to the Crisler Center.
Dancer Registration
Registration forms for dance competitions can be found on our website. Registration is provided on-site; $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.
Notice
The Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is alcohol and drug-free event, and fully handicap accessible.
Additional information: http://www.umich.edu/~powwow/
Contests details and rules can be found on our website under “For participants”
The 41st Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is hosted 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]