For Press/Media

The beginning of April marks the time of the annual Ann Arbor Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, a nationally recognized beginning of the powwow season.

This year, the Ann Arbor Powwow Committee made the decision to turn down direct funding in order to return powwow to its original purposes (please click here for the committee letter to the University of Michigan). Additionally, this year's committee is made up of students from both the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, as well as members of the local Native community.

The powwow attracts American Indian dancers, singers and drummers from throughout the nation. Dancers ranging in age from toddlers to elders compete in several styles of dance---fancy, traditional, grass and jingle dress---wearing traditional and contemporary regalia. Competing drum groups provide vocal and rhythmic accompaniment to the dancers as they themselves are judged. Cash prizes are presented to winners in all the competitions.

A variety of American Indian culture is expressed through vendor exhibits of arts, crafts, music, contemporary and traditional foods, and information on social and political issues that currently challenge local, regional and national American Indian communities.

A commitment to heritage pervades the two-day event. Participants share opening and closing prayers, special giveaways, and a shared dedication to the spiritual aspects of American Indian cultures.

This is a culturally significant event that we hope the media take notice of and share with their audiences. We ask you to help us spread word of the event so that it will be a continued success for years to come. For more information, please see our press release.