Utah State Scholars to Lead Annual Powwow

Utah State University students Alicera Bulltail and Sonny Bryant will lead the 32^nd annual Echoing Traditional Ways Powwow, hosted by the university’s Native American Student Council at the Nelson Field House on campus March 4-5.

 

Bulltail, a junior elementary education major from the Crow Reservation in south-central Montana, serves as head woman, while Bryant, a sophomore biology major and Navajo from Page, Ariz., serves as head man.

 

“To be asked to serve on the headstaff of a powwow is a distinct honor,” said Sam Curley, Native American coordinator in Utah State’s Multicultural Student Services office. “These students were invited to serve based on their academic achievements and demonstrated leadership ability. Both serve as role models for Native American children and youth.”

 

Open to the public, the powwow commences Friday with the grand entry at 7 p.m., followed by dance competitions until 11 p.m. Festivities include a variety of tribal dances and drumming, along with the sale of traditional Indian frybread tacos, a children’s coloring contest and vendor booths featuring Native American arts and crafts from throughout the American West. The gathering resumes Saturday at noon and lasts until 11 p.m.

 

“The powwow is a ceremonial celebration blended with traditional dance competition,” said Curley. “The gathering is an opportunity to celebrate important rites of passage or to welcome the spirit of a new dawn as evidenced in the cycle of seasons.”

 

Past Utah State powwows have welcomed thousands of spectators and participants from tribes throughout the United States and Canada. Dance categories include traditional, fancy, grass and jingle-dress.

 

Admission is $3 per person and $2 for senior citizens and students with current ID. Children age 4 and under are admitted free.

 

Parking for the powwow is available in the university parking terrace at 850 E. 700 North, which is adjacent to the Nelson Field House. The field house is a short walk from the Veterinary Science building bus stop on 700 North on Logan Transit District Route 4.

 

For more information, contact Curley at 435-797-1765.