10th Annual New Faces of an Ancient People Traditional Powwow

The 10^th Annual New Faces of An Ancient People Traditional American Indian Powwow will be held April 6-7 at the Mount Nittany Middle School.

Penn State and the State College Area School District are the sponsors of the powwow. Admission is free and it is open to the public. A free shuttle will be running from the University Park campus to the Powwow.

Last year the powwow attracted more than 160 dancers from Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and from a number of American Indian reservations from around the country. American Indian traders will be showcasing some of the finest American Indian Arts and Crafts in the country — and all have signed the Native American Arts and Crafts Act agreement assuring that all items are Native Made.

The powwow committee has also invited a native storyteller who will be in the public schools a few days before the powwow begins. She will also be in a classroom at the powwow to share native stories to anyone who wishes to listen.  In addition, the powwow showcases American Indian powwow dance styles such as Men's Traditional Dances, Women's Jingle Dances, and Inter-tribal dances where everyone, Native or non-Native, are invited into the dance arena.

A rare event this year will be a Traditional American Indian Wedding. A former Penn State American Indian graduate will return to State College and the American Indian powwow to get married at this year's powwow on April 6. Even in Indian Country around the United States, this is not seen often.

The American Indian kitchen at this powwow is one of the finest with indigenous foods for sale such as Northern Style Native Fry-bread, corn soup, and Buffalo Burgers. Prices are low and have not changed since the first powwow 10 years ago to keep this powwow a very affordable family event. Mike Zerby, Mission Band Pottawatomie, again is the Head Cook, and Fawn Patchell, Apache, is the head supervisor for the Native Kitchen.

More information may be found at the powwow website: http://www.powwow.psu.edu/

Grand Entry of American Indian Dancers and Veterans is at noon on Saturday and Sunday. The powwow ends at 10 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.