Spring Break
Pow wow: 'Honor the Youth'
Celebration of culture, identity at Sapp Fieldhouse
Jillian Whitney
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: News
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More than 200 people joined in the celebration which had a theme of "Honor the Youth."
Tom Render, Inter-Tribal Student Council president, said the same theme is used each year to allow youth to experience traditional native culture and gain pride for their people.
"A lot of native children these days are lost. They don't know their roots and they don't know who their people are. So, we like to do these pow wows as a way to kind of bring them back to their circle. … So, we are trying to bring them back together and instill in them a pride of who they are," Render said.
Render said UNO's pow wow was distinctive because a majority of it was coordinated and put on by children.
"We try to do this theme to honor our kids. All of the head staff, like the head man and the head woman dancer, our emcee, they are all kids. They are at least in high school through grade school," Render said.
The pow wow was sponsored by the Inter-Tribal Student Council and Native American Studies as well as the Nebraska Arts Council.
The event consisted of traditional Native American dance, drum groups and singing. Different authentic Native American goods were also on display and for sale, such as hand-made jewelry and quilts.
"We have Indians participating from all different parts of this country and even different parts of other countries as well. Non-Indian people come too, and I think it's a great thing that they come because everybody needs to learn that we are still here," Render said. "The Indian people get overlooked too often."
The pow wow began with a grand entry of dancing tribal members, singing in traditional garb. They then showcased different traditional dances and drum performance. Dancers moved around in a circle as one, while at the same time dancing in their own distinctive pattern.
Nicki Baker, a junior psychology major, said she came to the pow wow because she was interested in learning more. She particularly enjoyed the close atmosphere of the Native American culture.
"I think it's pretty amazing that we can get all these different tribes to come to UNO and have the pow wow. It's a great experience for everyone who can come," Baker said. "I love how anybody and everybody can be involved. I always learn something from these pow wows."
Render said he hoped that people would understand that everyone was welcome in the Native American community. He said no one would be turned away because they weren't of a specific heritage.
"A lot of people are hesitant to come in because they don't understand what is going on. They think, 'I'm not Indian, so I shouldn't participate.' But it's not about that, everything is inclusive in this circle. Everybody has an equal place in our circle, our community," Render said.
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