Pow Wow, annual celebration of American Indian culture in its 23rd year, returns March 16

'Honoring Our Cultures While Strengthening Our Communities' theme of this year's event

The 23rd annual Pow Wow, a festival of American Indian cultures at Washington University in St. Louis, will be held Saturday, March 16, in the Field House on the Danforth Campus. This event, hosted by the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies at the Brown School, is free and open to the public.

This year’s theme is “Honoring Our Cultures While Strengthening Our Communities.” The theme is a reminder that when it comes to community development among American Indians, it is important to honor and celebrate traditions while strengthening community.

“The theme commemorates American Indian traditions and a unique way of life that empower communities as a whole,” says Lindsay Belone (Navajo), a second-year Pow Wow co-chair.

Visitors and participants will be able to enjoy dancing, singing, drumming, arts, crafts and food. Grand entries will take place at Noon and 6 p.m. Traditional arts and crafts booths and community information booths will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“A Pow Wow provides a social gathering for American Indians from all different tribal backgrounds and offers a way to share our culture with the public through song, dance, and traditional arts and crafts,” says Anna Segovia (Cherokee), first-year Pow Wow co-chair.

“It is where strangers become friends,” she says, “and where people from different tribes can share an important part of themselves and their culture.”

The Buder Center, the Women’s Society of Washington University, the Brown School Student Coordinating Council, and the Muscogee-Creek Nation sponsor the Pow Wow.

A video depicting the history, traditions and what to expect at a Pow Wow is below. For more information, call (314) 935-4510 or visit buder.wustl.edu.

What is a Pow Wow? Washington University’s Buder Center has been holding them annually for 23 years.