Makhai Fell dances in the Jr. boys grass dance during the Fall Powwow on Farrand Field on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado Boulder reintroduced the Fall Powwow on Saturday, transforming Farrand Field into a vibrant celebration of Native culture and community. CU Boulder has not held the event since 2001, making its return a significant and long awaited revival. The day was filled with dancing, competitions, music and food, welcoming both the campus community and attendees from across the country.
The powwow, a meaningful social and cultural event for Native communities, serves as a platform for intergenerational storytelling, whether through dancing, music or spoken word. Its return to CU Boulder not only celebrates these traditions but also reflects a commitment to supporting Native students and community members.
“For Native students, being at a predominantly white institution can feel isolating,” said Lila Crank, who organized the event and is an office manager for the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies. “They are far from home, far from the sounds, images and even the colors of home. This event is very visible, very loud — it touches all the senses. It’s an opportunity for these students to come together, meet each other and feel supported by their community.”
The event, which featured traditional clothing and dance, allowed the CU Boulder campus and community to witness and hold space for Native traditions. It was a collaborative effort between several organizations, including CNAIS, the Center for Inclusion and Social Change, the Oyate Native American and Indigenous student group, the Native Graduate Student Group and the CU Theater and Dance Department.
Junior Reina, program manager for Native and Indigenous Students in Intercultural Engagement, described the significance of the event.
“It means recognition, because a powwow hasn’t been held on campus since 2001…You have CSU who has a powwow, you have UNC. So Boulder, especially being such a big institution, should have one,” Reina said.
Members of Oyate and the Native Graduate Student Group, Saydie Sago, Alfredo Bitsoi and Artemis Nopah on Farrand Field during the University of Colorado Boulder’s Fall Powwow Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. (Hunter Dee/ CU Independent)
The event provided a crucial connection to Native students’ heritage and culture, especially for those far from home. Crank emphasized the challenges of organizing such events at CU Boulder, but highlighted the commitment to ensuring its success.
Some Native students struggle to access community information and resources. Without conversations and dialogue surrounding what the Native community is experiencing and doing, it can be difficult to find out about such information and resources in a predominantly white school.
“There’s a lot of barriers,” she said. “But this is a very visible event … and I think for students, especially those who aren’t traditionally in power, seeing people from all corners of the country come to support them is really important.”
Reina echoed these sentiments, noting the importance of student involvement in driving the initiative.
“It’s all about what the students want,” Reina said. “So we collaboratively thought about how we can support students. One of the initiatives was doing this powwow.”
The Fall Powwow was a powerful day of cultural affirmation for Native students and their community, while also offering non-Native attendees an opportunity to learn and appreciate Indigenous traditions.
“We just wanted to organize it, implement it and make sure it happened,” Crank added.
Contact CU Independent Assistant News Editor Satori Griffith at satori.griffith@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent Assistant Photo Editor Clementine Miller at clementine.miller@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent Staff Photographer Hunter Dee at hunter.dee@colorado.edu.
