For Press & Media > Press Release
Press Release - 2009 Powwow
37th annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow returns to community
ANN ARBOR, Mich.--- The beginning of April (4,5) marks the time of the annual Ann Arbor Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, a nationally recognized beginning of the powwow season and an event that consistently strives to build cohesion between Native Americans, the University of Michigan community and people in southeast Michigan.
The powwow attracts Native American 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 popular inter-tribal dance opportunity occurs throughout the powwow, as members of the audience are invited to join dancers on the main floor.
A variety of Native American culture is expressed through vendor exhibits of arts, crafts, music, contemporary and traditional foods, and information on social and political issues that currently challenge the local, regional and national Native American community.
This year, the Native American Student Association (NASA) made the decision to restructure the powwow in order to return the event to the community. By moving away from the current structure, NASA says, they can return to a more traditional way of managing powwow - using tobacco and other traditional medicines, following counsel from elders, and interacting with the community building personal relationships, rather than business, professional relationships.
This restructuring also means a change in event's location. The powwow is being held at Saline Middle School in Saline, MI, right next door to Ann Arbor. “I think this venue will work well for the powwow and it has some great benefits” says NASA co-chair Conner Sandefur. “We are able to offer free parking and it is completely handicap accessible, both of which have been problematic for many of our visitors in the past.” Free shuttles will be available from the Michigan Union to take visitors to and from the event all weekend long.
The Dance for Mother Earth Powwow schedule:
--April 4: Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; grand entries at noon and 7 p.m. Activities continue until 10 p.m.;
--April 5: Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; grand entry at noon. Powwow closes at 6 p.m.
Ticket prices for the family-friendly event are: $10 per day for adults; $5 per day for students ages 13-17 with ID and college students with ID; $5 per day for seniors ages 60 and older, and for children 4-12; children 3 and under are admitted without charge. Daily family passes are available for $25 and weekend passes may be purchased by students for $15 and for adults $18.Group sales (for groups of 12 or more) are sold in advance for children at $2 and adults at $6 per individual. Free parking is available at Saline Middle School.
The pow wow has many opportunities for volunteers. Contact the committee at: powwowvolunteers@Gmail.com . Volunteers receive free admission for the day and a volunteer badge.
The Ann Arbor Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is hosted by the Native American Student Association of the University of Michigan.
For more information, contact the Ann Arbor Powwow Committee at(734) 565-8670,
e-mail powwow_committee@yahoo.com,
or visit www.umich.edu/~powwow.