PRESERVING CULTURE American Indians gather at the U for 41st Annual Powwow to share their heritage

American Indian families from tribes as far as Alaska and Canada came together and celebrated their traditions and unique cultures at the 41st Annual “Sustaining Our Culture” Powwow.
The U’s Inter-Tribal Student Association hosted the powwow in the Union Ballroom on Saturday.
“We put this powwow on every year. It’s our biggest event, and we plan for it a year in advance,” said Deirdre Yazzie, a junior in health promotion and education. Yazzie is the association’s service project officer and a part of Diné Navajo Nation.
Throughout the event, vendors displayed an array of unique jewelry, including turquoise earrings, beaded pendants and silver bracelets. American Indians handcrafted all jewelry on sale. There were also leather goods, drums, blankets and traditional foods.
“This is my first time coming to one of these powwows. It’s different than I thought it would be, but in a good way. I love it,” said Sharmayne Clark, who is Navajo and a respiratory therapy student at Weber State University.

People of all ages danced traditional Navajo dances in colorful, patterned costumes. They moved to the beat of drums as groups of men sang in unison.
“I don’t get to dance as often as I’d like to. As you get older, you have more responsibilities, like work and other priorities,” said Holly Begaye of Orem, who is Navajo and participated in the Women’s Shawl Fancy.
The costumes were colorful and much more modern than traditional costumes. Children participating in the Tiny Tots Dance had costumes that mixed tradition with modern trends. Little girls incorporated Hello Kitty and zebra print fabrics into their costumes, and little boys had logos of sports team on theirs.
“I picked the fabric for my costume. They’re my favorite colors,” said a seven-year-old dancer.
It seems mixing traditional and modern elements are a way for these children to sustain their culture. Adults’ costumes were more traditional, with detailed beading, eagle feathers and patterns.
Other adults have their own ways of preserving tradition.
“I try to stay spiritual to myself and try to participate in native ceremonies on our reservation, which is six hours away,” Begaye said.
Attending powwows like this is one way Reymus of Salt Lake, who is northern Paiute and Navajo, sustains his American Indian culture.
“I’ve been coming since I was eight or 10 years old. I grew up in the powwow scene. It’s great meeting a lot [of] other Native Americans and also seeing what tribes incorporate into their outfits,” Reymus said.
Getting the event up and running was not an easy task; the U’s Inter-Tribal Student Association faced several challenges.
“There were some financial challenges, along with getting sponsors, arranging the logistics and getting the necessary supplies. Finding people to participate, especially in the drum circles, was also a challenge, Yazzie said.
The powwow showed the unity of the American Indian community.
“This powwow is kind of a celebration of life and a social gathering; a way for us to come together,” Reymus said.