University Recognizes Native Students With Awareness Week and Powwow

Dancers at the 2011 American Indian Awareness Week powwow at Black Hills State University in Rapid City, South Dakota.
By ICTMN Staff: April 10, 2012

Black Hills State University in South Dakota is hosting a Powwow in honor of the large population of Native American students that tend the college. This will be the 29th annual powwow to be hosted here, lasting for three days (April 13th - April 15th). There is going to be traditional dancing and this event is open for all of the public. This would be a great place for people to learn about the Native Americans and for Native people to have pride in who they are. There has been a lot of struggles with Native people not wanting to be Native and hating who they are. This is a great chance to change that opinion, to help Native people embrace who they are without the fear and hatred. I think more colleges should do this, to help out the people that have been beaten down to believe that they aren't as important or that their hertiage is terrible. I know that Michigan State hosted a powwow. I didn't get to attend, but I heard that it was wonderful. :)

"Today starts the school’s week-long focus on Native culture which will feature speakers, a hand drum and singing competition and a three-day powwow. American Indian Awareness Week is organized by the school’s Center for American Indian Studies and the student organization Lakota Omniciye."