The American Indian Science and Engineering Society Powwow is scheduled for Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Drum groups, dancers, food and social events will highlight the annual AISES Powwow at Colorado State University this week.
The 39th American Indian Science and Engineering Society Powwow is set for Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Lory Student Center. A kickoff celebration is scheduled the day prior — Friday, Oct. 20 — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the LSC Plaza.
Co-sponsored by the Native American Cultural Center, Associated Students of CSU and RamEvents, the longtime university tradition has served as the harbinger for Native American Heritage Month in November.
At a glance
Native American Heritage Month Kickoff Powwow
Friday, Oct. 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lory Student Center Plaza
AISES Powwow
Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Lory Student Center
- Grand Entry: 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Powwow Feed: 5 p.m.
According to organizers, both powwows will be similar in format to previous years. The Friday powwow will feature drum groups with dancers in full regalia, with frybread available for sale on the LSC Plaza.
For the Saturday AISES Powwow, the Grand Entry – in which groups of dancers in full regalia follow a color guard into the ballroom – is set for 1 p.m. as well as 7 p.m. The Powwow Feed — when food is served — is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Jared Hodison, a biochemistry student and president of the CSU AISES Student Chapter, encouraged the CSU community to attend: “On behalf of the CSU AISES Student Chapter, I would like to invite everyone to this year’s 39th Annual CSU AISES Powwow. There is a powwow preview on Friday and the powwow itself on Saturday. Frybread will be available at both events as we welcome drum groups, dancers, vendors, alumni, students and community members. The event is free and I hope to see you there.”
Ty Smith, director of CSU’s Native American Cultural Center, has been attending the AISES Powwow since 1986. He explained that the event, which is organized by CSU students, has served as a chance to honor and preserve important Native American traditions in the face of colonialism and westward expansion.
“It’s an opportunity to celebrate our traditions, celebrate our culture and reconnect with ourselves,” he said. “It’s also about sharing our traditions with others.”
Smith explained that the powwow also serves as a homecoming for CSU alumni who were active in the Native American Cultural Center, which works to foster successful educational experiences for students by providing support and services related to recruitment, retention, graduation and community outreach.
“It’s a true celebration of community,” he said. “There are so many stories and histories behind what you’ll see and experience at a powwow.”
