Posted: April 09, 2008 by: Staff Reports / Indian Country Today

Join in a celebration of Native culture

ITHACA, N.Y. - Barton Hall will come alive in a colorful expression of song and dance April 12, when the Native American Students at Cornell group hosts its ninth annual Powwow and Smokedance.

Pow wows are social gatherings involving traditional Native dances that continually evolve to include contemporary aspects. Highlights will include a Smoke Dance competition and pow wow exhibition dancing.

Past NASAC pow wows have attracted more than 300 participants, with drums and dancers from throughout the United States and Canada.

Each pow wow begins with the grand entry, a procession of all the dancers into the dance arena. At the heart of the pow wow are the drum groups, providing the pulsating beat to accompany the dancers' movements.

This year's host drum will be Whitefish Jrs., with Young Gunz serving as the invited drum. Popular Native foods will be sold, and authentic arts and crafts may be purchased directly from noted jewelers and artisans.

Doors open at 10 a.m. April 12, and the grand entry occurs at noon. Admission is free, and parking is readily available at the nearby Schoellkopf parking garage on Campus Road. Barton Hall is located on the Cornell University Campus at the intersection of Garden Street and Campus Road.

The pow wow will be preceded by an Iroquois Social Dance to celebrate and honor the local Haudenosaunee culture. The Social Dance will be held April 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Appel Commons Multipurpose Room, Cornell University.

These events celebrate Native health and wellness. Therefore, absolutely no alcohol or drugs are allowed. All are welcome and encouraged to attend these intertribal and public events.

For additional information about the NASAC Powwow and Smokedance, call (607) 255-1919 or (607) 255-0652, e-mail powwow@cornell.edu , or visit http://rso.cornell.edu/powwow .