The Creighton University Native American Association and the Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted its 9th annual All-Nations Pow-Wow on Saturday in Kiewit Fitness Center.
According to Luz Colon-Rodriguez, assistant director for Outreach & Programming in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, there is a lot of dancing, music and celebration. Students, faculty, the metropolitan community and a variety of tribal nations from across the country attended this celebration of native culture, tradition and heritage.
According to Gary Henry, president of the Native American Association, there are four dances that are performed at the pow-wow. The Men and Women’s fancy dance is the most energetic and athletic. It features jumps and twirling. Another dance is the Men’s Grass. The grass dance is said to mirror the necessity for balance in life. One side must repeat each movement that is danced on the other side. The third dance is the Women’s Jingle. The dance is designed to include the sound of the jingles by allowing them to move. The fourth dance is the Men and Women’s Traditional dance. The movement in this dance is very focused.
“I love to watch the little kids dance,” said Colon-Rodriguez. “They always have so much energy.”
Colon-Rodriguez said that accompanying each dance are drums and traditional song. A pow-wow cannot occur without the involvement of drums. The drums have their own spiritual meaning, and they are important to native tradition. The songs that are sung at the drums are sung in traditional language.
“The most memorable part of the pow-wow for me is the drums,” said Colon-Rodriguez.
There are two types of drum beats at the pow-wow that represent different regions: the northern style and the southern style. The southern style is deeper, while the northern style is higher in pitch and has fewer beats than the southern songs. To offer a balanced pow-wow one drum signifying each region is present. Creighton’s pow-wow hosts over 20 tribes represented from both the northern and southern regions.
“It’s great to see all these different types of people come together and celebrate,” said Colon-Rodriguez.