Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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The Woodlands and High Plains Pow Wow, sponsored by Concordia College, Minnesota State University Moorhead, and North Dakota State University, will be held on the Concordia campus on Saturday, February 16, 2002. Grand entries are scheduled at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

The event will be the first major pow wow in Fargo-Moorhead in three years. The one-day pow wow will be "traditional," meaning that the emphasis will be on celebration rather than competition. Organizers expect to attract spectators, dancers, and drum groups from throughout the Midwest.

"The pow wow is an opportunity for people from different cultures to come together for mutual understanding and friendship," said Bernice Grandbois, Director of American Indian Programs at Concordia College. "I expect to see many people from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana in attendance," Grandbois said.

"I am proud to be part of the first pow wow in Fargo-Moorhead for years," said Kit Hagerman, president of Tribes, Concordia's American Indian Student Association. "The pow wow is a way for the Native American community to be recognized as an important asset. It's good to have the pow wow back."

This year's theme is "Preserving Our Past, Protecting Our Future." Grandbois explained: "The pow wow is a social gathering where we teach our youth respect and traditional ways."

In past years the spring pow wow was one of the best-attended cultural events in the F-M area, with about 2,500 people filling auditoriums to see more than 250 dancers dressed in colorful and authentic regalia.

Three active students were named head dancers for the 2002 pow wow: Nate Herman, a senior at Concordia College, will be head male dancer; and twin sisters Amber and April Ray, both freshmen at MSUM, will be head female dancers.

Other details were being finalized at press time, but the following pow wow staff have been confirmed: Mike Swan, from the White Earth Indian Reservation (WEIN), will serve as master of ceremonies; Waylon Fox, from Fargo, will be arena director; and William "Ambrose" Little Ghost, from the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation (SLN), will be spiritual adviser. Eagle Nation, a drum group from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation (TMC) of northeastern North Dakota, has agreed to serve as host drum.

Students, staff, faculty, and community members from the F-M community are invited to join the planning committee for this important event. You need not be of American Indian descent to join the committee.

Talented and enthusiastic people are needed to accomplish a variety of tasks in the remaining weeks before the pow wow. The planning committee also will need volunteers to assist on the day of the pow wow.

For more information about the pow wow or to join the committee, contact: Bernice Grandbois, Concordia College, 218-299-4171; Gus Claymore or Jody Steile, MSUM, 218-236-3572; or Paul Boswell, NDSU, 701-231-7314.

Commercial vendors interested in having a sales booth or table at Concordia's Memorial Auditorium on the day of the pow wow should call the same numbers as above.