United Tribes Technical College celebrates 54th Annual Powwow with vibrant traditions, community spirit

Thousands gather to honor cultural pride, heritage and competitive dancing at North Dakota's largest Indigenous event

Fifty-four years ago, United Tribes Technical College’s International Powwow brought students together to ease their homesickness. Today, the event has grown into one of the most anticipated cultural celebrations in North Dakota, where thousands gather annually to honor Indigenous traditions, compete and connect.

Luann Poitra, UTTC communications specialist, calls the powwow a celebration. Each year she looks forward to seeing the dancers, singers and drum groups who perform at the cultural gathering.

“You’ll see cartwheels, especially with the men’s fancy dancing,” said Poitra. “It’s more extreme. They’re great athletes, very great athletes –– and the women too. They have the shawls and different colors out there. It’s more high-paced and so it kind of really gets all ages to watch.”

During her 15 years at UTTC, Poitra has learned that “Powwow Weekend,” as she calls it, is always after Labor Day. This year the weekend-long celebration is from Sept. 6 to 8. The planning for the school’s biggest event of the year begins in January. Eight months of hard work are all focused on a cause: The profits from the school’s powwow go towards student scholarships, so even in a hard financial year, students are always supported.

“Every year we have been able to put $50,000 into 25 student scholarships each semester,” Poitra said. “It’s kind of secured that even if we have a bad year, students will still be taken care of.”

Now a major cultural event where thousands from across the country and Canada gather, the International Powwow originally began as an inclusive environment for UTTC’s students. 

“It was for the students so they could feel like they fit in and know that we bring something familiar here,” Poitra said. “They started the powwow and wanted to do it in September, right before the snow falls.”

The International Powwow has grown steadily since its first celebration in 1969. Now there are a range of festivities for the community to participate in. 

Something new attendees can look forward to is the Women’s Cradle Board Special on Saturday evening. Cradleboards, a traditional form of baby carrier used by many Indigenous tribes in North America, are structured to protect the baby’s spine and are covered with blankets or animal skins. Poitra said throughout this event, women will dance with cradleboards on their backs. 

“You’re going to see mothers dancing with different cradleboards,” she said. “And that’s going to be beautiful to see.”

People also have the opportunity to win big money in several competitions. The first place singing contest champion can win up to $20,000. Grand Entry participants have the chance to receive up to $1,200. Attendees can compete in traditional, grass, fancy shawl and jingle dress dances throughout the weekend. The age categories include: Junior (6-12), Teen (13-17), Junior Adults (18-35), Senior Adults (36-54), Men’s Chicken (18+) and Golden Age Combined (55+). Champions will also walk away with jackets. Grand Entries begin at 7 p.m. on Friday. Registration for the contests will be on Sept. 6 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

In addition to the Grand Entries and performances, goods such as jewelry, clothing and herbs will be available at stands circling the Lone Star Arena.

All 70 spots sold out within a month of vendor registration opening in May. The event will feature 15 food vendors and 55 arts and crafts vendors. Attendees can get a bite to eat from food trucks selling Mexican, American and American Indian cuisine, such as Rez Famous Lemonade.

The college will also be hosting a community feed at the cafeteria for breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the weekend. The Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewas and the UTTC Powwow Committee will sponsor the last meal on Sunday afternoon, featuring buffalo and beef sandwiches and stew. 
Poitra said UTTC invites all in the community to the annual gathering, Native and non-Native alike. “We would like people to know that everyone is welcome,” she said.

Dateline:

BISMARCK, N.D.