The Heartbeat of the Powwow returned to the University of Colorado at Farrand Field on Sept. 28, 2024. (Melodie Miller | Photographer)
Listen to powwow musician Tony Crank at the University of Colorado Farrand Field Sept. 28, 2024. The Colorado American Indian Tribes In-State Tuition Act (CO SB 21-029) was passed to allow eligible students to pay in-state tuition at Colorado public universities and colleges.(Melodie Miller | Photographer)
I went to historic Farrand Field on the University of Colorado campus in Boulder for the 2024 Native American powwow. It was a beautiful bluebird day without a cloud in the sky. The campus was built on the traditional territories and homelands of the Arapaho, the Cheyenne, and the Ute nations. The powwow is part of the universities commitment to continually improving and enhancing engagement with indigenous peoples locally and nationwide. It is the first powwow on campus in 23 years.
Farrand Field was named after Livingston Farrand, the university’s fourth president who served from 1914 to 1919.
After 23 years, the powwow returns to campus as a celebration of faith and tradition for the indigenous peoples of Colorado.
The 2024 CU Boulder Powwow was organized by the Oyate Native American and Indigenous Student Organizations on campus. It was a collaboration between the Center for Inclusion and Social Change (CISC), the Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies (CNAIS), the Oyate Native American and Indigenous student group and the native Graduate Student Group and the Theater and Dance Department.
Cultural etiquette was encouraged with guidelines posted as reminders for the audience. The aim was to elevate understanding and sensitivity towards respecting the customs of Native American nations.
Cultural etiquette is a unique set of understandings that guide people when interacting in different societies. At the powwow, these guidelines include not touching the dancers, their regalia, instruments or fallen feathers. “Do no ask for cultural details that are not offered even with good intentions.” Sensitivity and respect for these norms fosters positive cross-cultural understanding and connection.
Grand entry for the powwow. (Melodie Miller | Photographer)
After 23 years, the powwow returns to campus as a celebration of faith and tradition for the indigenous peoples of Colorado. The grand entry victory song and two rounds of intertribals.
Saydie Sago told me she went to the last powwow 23 years ago, in 2001 with her parents when she was a small child. We are “bringing some Cheyenne, and Rapaho community from northern Rapajo members, southern Rapaho members, and Cheyenne members to come dance and be a partner. Of course, they were part of one of the many tribes that are historically tied to this part of the land and also Colorado. So we are inviting them back to their ancestral lands,” Sago said.
Saydie Sago, one of the powwow organizers, is a fourth year PhD student here at CU. (Melodie Miller | Photographer)
“I know that my parents, I think, have actually been to the powwow 23 years ago. So it’s really nice to see it coming back, Redhorse said. “I’ve been going to powwows ever since I was one of the tiny tots. My mom put me in a jingle dress dance, and I got up on the dance floor. I really hope we can continue this ongoing tradition.”
Shaleen Redhorse is an aerospace engineering student here at CU. She danced powwows when she was younger. (Melodie Miller | Photographer)
I spoke with CU graduate Benny Shendo, the vice chancellor of Native American Affairs, about the future for native american students in states outside of Colorado.
“We only have two federally recognized tribes here in the state of Colorado. But then there’s 46 other tribes that have historical connection to the state of Colorado,” Shendo said. Colorado state “passed the law signed by the governor that will allow any students from those tribes to come into state tuition. Not only will this increase our Native American enrollment, both undergraduate, graduate, but also faculty and staff.”
“It’s a new day,” Shendo said. “It’s a new day, you know, it’s for us, and we’re hoping to elevate the presence of our native students at all levels.”
CU graduate Benny Shendo, the vice chancellor of Native American Affairs is a state senator for New Mexico. (Photograph courtesy of Common Ground Rising.org Blog)
Powwow Gallery
Welcome to the 2024 Powwow on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. This event offers an exhilarating experience that spans 200 years of cultural history . Every moment is an opportunity to witness and partake in the spiritual ceremony of the powwow. (Melodie Miller | Photographer)
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado. It was founded in 1876, five months before Colorado became a state. Colorado’s flagship university honors and recognizes the many contributions of Indigenous peoples in the state. The university acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories of the Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Ute. It is also on the ancestral homelands of many other Native American nations. The university is dedicated to recognizing and amplifying the voices of Indigenous CU Boulder students, staff, faculty and their work.
Melodie Dawn Miller 
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