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50 Years of Celebration: The Dance for Mother Earth Powwow
"In 1972, when many aspects of Native American religions and sacred ceremonies were still prohibited by law, American Indians at the University of Michigan (AIUM) held their first powwow in Ann Arbor. Over the years, the Native American Student Association (NASA), consisting of community members and students, evolved into a group fully dedicated to making the powwow a success. In March of 2024, the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 50 Years of Celebration: The Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, a variety of voices from multiple generations share what the powwow has meant to them." - Filmmaker Jen Howard
Makayla Grant at 23rd Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Crisler Arena, March 1995 Photographer: Kristian Pierson
Year:
1995
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 26, 1995
Caption:
11-year-old Makayla Grant of Walthill, Neb., waits in line after performing for the judges to record their scores.
Ann Arbor News, March 26, 1995
Caption:
11-year-old Makayla Grant of Walthill, Neb., waits in line after performing for the judges to record their scores.
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Fancy Shawl Dancers at 23rd Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Crisler Arena, March 1995 Photographer: Kristian Pierson
Year:
1995
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 26, 1995
Caption:
Dancers compete during the 23rd annual Ann Arbor Powwow at Crisler Arena Saturday.
Ann Arbor News, March 26, 1995
Caption:
Dancers compete during the 23rd annual Ann Arbor Powwow at Crisler Arena Saturday.
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Ken Funmaker, Fancy Dancer at 24th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow at Crisler Arena, March 1996 Photographer: Linda Wan
Year:
1996
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, April 1, 1996
Caption:
CONCENTRATING ON CULTURE — Resplendent in brightly colored turkey feathers, 'fancy dancer' Ken Funmaker from Wisconsin waits his turn to compete at the 24th annual Ann Arbor Powwow Sunday at Crisler Arena on the University of Michigan campus. More than 1,000 Native Americans from around North American participated in the weekend-long event.
Ann Arbor News, April 1, 1996
Caption:
CONCENTRATING ON CULTURE — Resplendent in brightly colored turkey feathers, 'fancy dancer' Ken Funmaker from Wisconsin waits his turn to compete at the 24th annual Ann Arbor Powwow Sunday at Crisler Arena on the University of Michigan campus. More than 1,000 Native Americans from around North American participated in the weekend-long event.
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Nathan Isaac Prepares his Bustle at the 24th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, March 1996 Photographer: Elli Gurfinkel
Year:
1996
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 30, 1996
Caption:
Nathan Isaac, 16, of the Ojibwe Tribe in Sarnia, Ontario, prepares his bustle, which dancers wear on their backs, before the opening of the 24th Annual Dance for Mother Earth at Crisler Arena Friday.
Ann Arbor News, March 30, 1996
Caption:
Nathan Isaac, 16, of the Ojibwe Tribe in Sarnia, Ontario, prepares his bustle, which dancers wear on their backs, before the opening of the 24th Annual Dance for Mother Earth at Crisler Arena Friday.
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Joe Salzano Performs Traditional Flute before the 24th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, March 1996 Photographer: Elli Gurfinkel
Year:
1996
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 30, 1996
Caption:
Joe Salzano, a Choctaw-Italian artists form New York state, plays one of his traditional flutes before the opening of the 24th Annual Ann Arbor Pow Wow at Crisler Arena Friday. Watching are, from left, Mary Foss of Ann Arbor; her daughter, Krystle Wilson, 8; Darcy Chrestensen, 8; and Melissa Cole, 7.
Ann Arbor News, March 30, 1996
Caption:
Joe Salzano, a Choctaw-Italian artists form New York state, plays one of his traditional flutes before the opening of the 24th Annual Ann Arbor Pow Wow at Crisler Arena Friday. Watching are, from left, Mary Foss of Ann Arbor; her daughter, Krystle Wilson, 8; Darcy Chrestensen, 8; and Melissa Cole, 7.
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Dance, Music, Art & Community: 50 Years of the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow
A corresponding physical exhibit is on display in the second-floor exhibit space at the Downtown Library from March 16 - June 14, 2024.
Ben Gasco of Ypsilanti Competes at Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, March 1998 Photographer: William Jordan
Year:
1998
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 29, 1998
Caption:
Ben Gasco of Ypsilanti competes in the men's fancy dance at the Ann Arbor Pow Wow at Crisler Arena on Saturday. Gasco, an Odawa, was participating in the 26th annual gathering of America Indians from the Great Lakes region.
Ann Arbor News, March 29, 1998
Caption:
Ben Gasco of Ypsilanti competes in the men's fancy dance at the Ann Arbor Pow Wow at Crisler Arena on Saturday. Gasco, an Odawa, was participating in the 26th annual gathering of America Indians from the Great Lakes region.
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Young Participants at Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, Huron High School Gymnasium, March 1976 Photographer: Jack Stubbs
Year:
1976
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 8, 1976
Caption:
Native American dances were featured Saturday and Sunday at the Huron High gymnasium in the Fourth Annual Powwow sponsored by the Ann Arbor Native American Culture School. Wearing traditional tribal dress, the dancers at left were among 146 dancers who were joined by 8 drummers, and 40 singers from seven states and Canada. Observers, the general public and participants like the two girls at the right, numbered 3,000 over the two days of the event, Powwow organizers said. they watched the traditional Native American dancers unfold as 42 traders and artists sold and displayed turquoise, silverwork, baskets and beadwork.
Ann Arbor News, March 8, 1976
Caption:
Native American dances were featured Saturday and Sunday at the Huron High gymnasium in the Fourth Annual Powwow sponsored by the Ann Arbor Native American Culture School. Wearing traditional tribal dress, the dancers at left were among 146 dancers who were joined by 8 drummers, and 40 singers from seven states and Canada. Observers, the general public and participants like the two girls at the right, numbered 3,000 over the two days of the event, Powwow organizers said. they watched the traditional Native American dancers unfold as 42 traders and artists sold and displayed turquoise, silverwork, baskets and beadwork.
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Dancers at 4th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, Huron High School Gymnasium, March 1976 Photographer: Jack Stubbs
Year:
1976
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 8, 1976
Caption:
Native American dances were featured Saturday and Sunday at the Huron High gymnasium in the Fourth Annual Powwow sponsored by the Ann Arbor Native American Culture School. Wearing traditional tribal dress, the dancers at left were among 146 dancers who were joined by 8 drummers, and 40 singers from seven states and Canada. Observers, the general public and participants like the two girls at the right, numbered 3,000 over the two days of the event, Powwow organizers said. they watched the traditional Native American dancers unfold as 42 traders and artists sold and displayed turquoise, silverwork, baskets and beadwork.
Ann Arbor News, March 8, 1976
Caption:
Native American dances were featured Saturday and Sunday at the Huron High gymnasium in the Fourth Annual Powwow sponsored by the Ann Arbor Native American Culture School. Wearing traditional tribal dress, the dancers at left were among 146 dancers who were joined by 8 drummers, and 40 singers from seven states and Canada. Observers, the general public and participants like the two girls at the right, numbered 3,000 over the two days of the event, Powwow organizers said. they watched the traditional Native American dancers unfold as 42 traders and artists sold and displayed turquoise, silverwork, baskets and beadwork.
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