A Pow Wow is a family-friendly, intergenerational cultural celebration held by many Native and Indigenous communities. This event is open to all and is a space for Native and non-Native people to gather together to dance, eat, socialize, share art, be in community, and much more.
Pow Wow Etiquette
Don’t point at dancers/at regalia, that’s what your lips and chin are for ;)
Be respectful of participants and dancers—dance regalia are not costumes and permission should be asked before taking pictures of a dancer.
The Emcee will explain and introduce the different events and dances throughout the Powwow.
Always stand during honoring songs including grand entry, flag songs, veteran’s songs, and other songs as designated by the emcee. Hats should also be removed.
Do not enter the dance arena without permission. The arena will be open to general attendees during the following dances:
Intertribal, potato dance, two-step, snake dance, round dance, life givers honor song/matriarchs in our lives, blanket dance, honor songs after those being honored have gone around the circle one time
If a drum group is singing or about to sing, do not bother them. Permission should be asked prior to recording.
Chairs closest to the dancing arena are reserved for dancers, singers, and elders.
Who is NAISA?
The Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA) is a student organization on Northwestern University’s campus for Native American and Indigenous students and allies aiming to build a strong community. We also seek to increase visibility and awareness of our distinct cultures and the different experiences and challenges our communities face.
We host weekly gatherings amongst our group where we get to know each other, share food, plan upcoming events and actions, and talk about what’s going on in our lives.
We are so excited to be hosting our second Pow Wow on Saturday April 22, 2022, and to be in community with you all!
Head Staff
MC: Shannon Martin | Citizen of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians - Gun Lake Tribe
Arena Director: Mark LaRoque | Ojibwe
Head Dancer: Maritza Garcia | Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians
Head Dancer: Shane Mitchell | Ojibwe/Menominee
Youth Head Dancer: Marie DeCora | Winnebago/Oneida
Youth Head Dancers: Mitigwakii TwoThunders | Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Chippewa Indians
Lead Eagle Staff & Color Guard: American Indian Center of Chicago Veterans Group
Host Drum: Iron Bear Singers
Invited Drums: Fire Nation Singers, Oka Homma Singers
Invited Guests: Indian Community School Earth Dance Singers
Special Performances by: Northwestern Mariachi, Others TBD
Location & Parking
Welsh-Ryan Arena Address: 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL, 60208
Free Parking is available at the Welsh-Ryan Arena!
Code of Conduct
This Pow Wow is a welcoming, inclusive, supportive and safe environment for all members of the Northwestern University community and beyond, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression/identity.
In light of the purpose of a pow wow and alignment of NAISA values, we prohibit harassment including anti-blackness, anti-indigeneity, sexual violence, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, and all other forms; it will not be tolerated.
We also prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs at this event.
If you do not follow these expectations, you will be asked to leave.
Call for Vendors
We’re looking for vendors. Those interested in being a vendor at the Northwestern University Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance's 2nd Annual Spring Pow Wow should complete this interest form.
This year's Pow Wow will take place on Saturday April 22, 2022 at Welsh Ryan Arena (2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL). Grand Entry will take place at noon, there will be a break from 2:30-3:30 pm, and then the pow wow will conclude at 5:00 pm.
We will let you know if you've been accepted as a vendor on a rolling basis. Booth spaces are free of cost.
Due to limited space, we may not be able to accept all vendors that apply. However, we will keep a waitlist if needed. The powwow committee will prioritize Indigenous vendors.
The deadline to submit an application is Friday, April 7th.
NAISA would like to extend a warm thank you to all of our Northwestern sponsors listed below. This Pow Wow would not be possible without their continued support.
Office of the President
Division of Student Affairs
Office of the Provost
Northwestern Athletics
Associate Student Government
School of Communication
Multicultural Student Affairs
Center for Native American and Indigenous Research
