The very first official powwow at the University of Iowa was back in 1990. Since that very first event, the number of attendees had steadily grown. So much so that they couldn't always keep up with the costs to cover the event and the pow wow took a hiatus for several years. However, current Native American Student Association members were highly motivated to bring back this U of I institution, but on a much smaller scale.
Once again our good buddy Bob Uhl over at the Midwest PowWows attended the pow wow and had some great words and photos to share. Here he is in his own words!
The University of Iowa held it's 22nd powwow Saturday, April 16th at the Field House on campus in Iowa City, Iowa. I can't say ‘annual' because it seems to go missing now and then–we all assume due to funding or organizational problems. As many of us know it takes a lot of time, money, coordination and organization to put together a successful powwow, but the U of I student powwow committee did a good job, once again, pulling it all together.
My wife & I are always glad to see this powwow take place so that our son David can dance. There are not many places he is accepted or can participate because of his mixed blood status. We do understand traditions and culture, accepting the fact that his dancing will be limited and do what we can to encourage him to follow his Indigenous roots.
MC Tyler Lasley, Meskwaki Nation, took the helm for this event and did a great job keeping things moving, along with Arena Director Jerod Pushetonequa, Meskwaki Nation, including the traditional powwow humor.
Head Man Dancer Canku One Star, Men's Fancy Dancer from the Lakota Nation, kept the powwow goers (and my camera!) trying to focus as he flew around the arena.
Thanks again to the student Powwow committee, Head woman dancer Brennah Wahweotten, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Mayetta Kansas and host drum Haymaker, Meskwaki Nation.
As a veteran, thanks also for the honor of carrying in the American Flag at the first Grand Entry. Ashoge(thanks). Following are some of the photos I took. Pardon the clarity as my camera seemed to be malfunctioning. Hope to see you all this summer at the annual Meskwaki Nation Powwow in Tama Iowa. Hoka Hey!
Thanks for sharing Bob! As always you can visit his blog at http://midwestpowwows.blogspot.com/ to see what's going on in the Midwest!
