22nd Annual Powwow raises funds for UTA students
UTA will host members of Native Americans tribes from across Texas and the Southwest during the 22nd Annual Scholarship Benefit Powwow. Hundreds will gather to celebrate American Indian culture and heritage to benefit the Native American Student Association Scholarship fund.
The event will be held 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 4, in the E.H. Hereford University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom, 300 W. First St. Free parking is available for attendees in Lot F11 and Lot F12, just north of the University Center.
The Native American Student Association sponsors the event, and is the longest, continuously running college Native student group in Texas. “For 23 years, our organization has worked to support Urban Natives in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex by addressing issues of real concern to Native Americans,” said Kristy Willis, NASA President and senior speech communications major. “The 22nd annual powwow will not only highlight our traditions, but provide valuable funds for NASA scholarships.”
The Powwow is held in association with Multicultural Affairs, Honors College, Student Congress and the Department of English. UTA’s continued support of NASA and the Native American community earned recognition from the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Winds of Change magazine. UTA has been named to the “Top 200 Colleges for Native Americans” list for two consecutive years.
“For more than two decades, UTA’s Honors College, Multicultural Affairs, Department of English and senior administrators have supported NASA through funds and encouragement,” said Kenneth Roemer, professor in the UTA English department and long-time NASA faculty advisor.
Visitors will want to grab a seat for the two Grand Entries, scheduled at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The Grand Entry features a procession of singers and dancers representing all ages and different aspects of Native American culture. The UTA Color Guard will lead the procession alongside military veterans.
Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Native American art, music, food and storytelling. All ages will also be invited to compete in various contests from intertribal dances to hand drum.
Head Staff for the powwow include:
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- Host Drum: Comanche Thunder
- Head Man Dancer: Blake Nucosee
- Head Woman Dancer: Kandace Folsom
- Head Gourd Dancer: Dennis Begay
- Master of Ceremonies: Michael Burgess
- Arena Director: Harold Rogers.
Contests:
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- Tiny Tots
- Golden Age
- Men’s Grass Dance
- Fancy War Dance
- Lulu/War Whoop
- Women’s Cloth
- Men’s Combined
- Women’s Combined
- Hand Drum
For more information visit the UTA NASA webpage or the 22nd Annual Benefit Scholarship Powwow Facebook page.
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a Carnegie Research-1 “highest research activity” institution. With a projected global enrollment of close to 57,000, UTA is one of the largest institutions in the state of Texas. Guided by its Strategic Plan 2020 Bold Solutions|Global Impact, UTA fosters interdisciplinary research and education within four broad themes: health and the human condition, sustainable urban communities, global environmental impact, and data-driven discovery. UTA was recently cited by U.S. News & World Report as having the second lowest average student debt among U.S. universities. U.S. News & World Report lists UTA as having the fifth highest undergraduate diversity index among national universities. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is ranked as the top four-year college in Texas for veterans on Military Times’ 2017 Best for Vets list.
