Rose Powwow teaches about Indian values
Greg Burghardt
The powwow was organized by the North American Indian Student Organization and the Native American Programs Office, and took place Saturday and Sunday in Rose Arena.
The arena was packed with vendors, participants, students and local residents.
“My wife and I have been doing these kind of circuits all across North America for two years now,” said vendor Russell Peltier of R.J.’s Authentic Ojibway Crafts in Ontario. “Everything we have here is hand-crafted and authentic.”
CMU students also attended the powwow for a variety of reasons.
“This is great. Everyone looks like they are having a really good time,” said Zack Florance, Livonia junior.
For Ohio graduate student Jessica Viertlboeck, her attendance was based more on education.
“I had to attend for a diversity presentation that I am working on for my philosophy of sports class,” she said, referring to PES: 610 Philosophy of Physical Education and Sport.
CMU’s College of Extended Learning contributed a “Virtual Powwow” presentation.
“The mission of this project is not just for Native Americans, but to inform and educate non-Native American youth and the rest of the public about Native American traditions,” said Yoon-Il Auh, director of Distance/Distributed Learning in the College of Extended Learning.
“We are adding 3-D images to the presentation in which special glasses are worn to enhance the view,” Auh said.
The Ziibiwing Cultural Society of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe also was present at the powwow.
“We have been working on our project of constructing a new Ziibiwing Center since 1995,” said Bonnie Ekdahl, Ziibiwing Cultural Society director.
Construction is set to begin in October, she said.
CMU’s powwow is separate from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s annual powwow in August.
“CMU is proud to host the annual powwow because it offers the community an opportunity to actively learn about Native American cultural traditions through drumming, dancing, trading, feasting and most importantly, oral teachings,” University President Michael Rao said in a written statement. “The North American Indian Student Organization, Native American Programs and the powwow committee work to provide an enriching and educational experience.”
