Texas State hosts 4th Annual Celebration of People powwow

By Alec Jennings
University News Service
November 11, 2008

The fourth annual Celebration of the People powwow will be held at the outdoor LBJ Student Center amphitheatre at Texas State University-San Marcos Nov. 19.

The event showcases Native American cultural traditions including food, drumming, traditional dancing exhibitions, stories and more. Shelby Stewart, Native American Student Association president said the celebration provides a unique opportunity for Texas State students and the community at large to experience rich cultural traditions first hand.

"Most students will probably be meeting Native Americans for the first time in their lives," Stewart said.  "We hope participants will see the inclusiveness of Native American gatherings and recognize the richness of the native culture and some of its traditions."

Roxana Tuff, faculty advisor for the Native American Student Association said that the event has been popular with the community and the university over the past couple of years and expects to see its success continue this year.

"Five-hundred to 800 students, faculty, staff and people from surrounding communities have come each year to hear the Southern Drum, eat Frybread, watch the dancers, buy Native art and more each year," Tuff said.  "We have had great participation and sponsorship over the years for this event."

The powwow is being sponsored by the Underrepresented Student Advisory Council, University College, Multicultural Student Affairs, Student Organizations Council, Multicultural Programming Committee, Fourwinds Intertribal Council, Inc. as well as some corporate sponsorship.
Tribes represented at the powwow will include Kiowa, Lipan Apache, Comanche, Lakota, Dakota, Choctaw, Paiute, Northern Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Sans Arc, Caddo, Delaware, Zuni, Huron, Hawaiian and Aztec.

The celebration is scheduled to open its doors at 10 a.m. Exhibition powwow dancers, Aztec dancers, storytelling and flute playing are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. with the closing song scheduled for 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

For additional information, contact Roxana Tuff, faculty advisor to the Native American Student Association, at (512) 245-1828 or via email at rt15@txstate.edu.