EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17; Grand Entries, noon and 7 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday, March 18, Grand Entry, noon.

EVENT: The annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, where thousands of people from Michigan, other states and Canada gather to celebrate and learn about Native American culture and traditions.

Forty years after a small group of Native American students founded the Powwow, it has evolved into a popular community-wide event.

Today it is one of the largest university powwows in the nation and, according to USA Today Travel, one of “10 great places to be wowed by American Indian culture.”

The 2012 Powwow continues the tradition of providing a gathering place for Native Americans to celebrate and share their culture with one another and others who are interested in learning about our country’s strong indigenous heritage.

Hundreds of Native American singers, dancers, drummers, and artisans and other vendors contribute to an atmosphere of excitement and traditional heritage. Some of the greatest Native American drummers, singers, and dancers from the Great Lakes region and beyond will participate in weekend-long competitions. Non-competing dancers and the general audience are welcome to participate in periodic all-nations dances.

Over the past year, the Powwow Committee has diligently worked to bring the Powwow back to the University of Michigan campus.

The 40th annual powwow will be held at Pioneer High School this year as part of the transition back to campus.

PLACE: Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, 601 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor (across the street from the Big House); enter at the flagpole.

ADMISSION: $5/youth (5–12); $7/students (with ID) and seniors (age 60 and over); $1 /adults; $25/family (2 adults and up to 3 children).

Discounted group passes, in advance: http://www.umich.edu/~powwow/visitors/admissions.html

SPONSORS: The 40th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is hosted by the Native American Student Association at the University of Michigan. Co-sponsors include the U-M Office of the Senior Vice Provost; U-M Central Student Government; Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs; Office of the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; Office of the Vice President for Global Communications and Strategic Initiatives; U-M Detroit Center; Center for World Performance Studies; School of Natural Resources; Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives; Department of Afroamerican and African Studies & ECO Girls; Ford School of Public Policy; Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute; Taubman College of Architecture & Urban Planning; School of Art & Design; Confucius Institute at U-M; Institute for the Humanities; U-M Museum of Art; Ross School of Business; Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs and Trotter Multicultural Center; Department of English Language & Literature; School of Information; Museum of Natural History; School of Social Work; Department of Kinesiology; Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs; Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies; University Library (MLibrary); Residential College Executive Committee; Ann Arbor Area Convention & Visitors Bureau; Center for Research on Learning and Teaching; National Center for Institutional Diversity; Center for Educational Outreach.

MORE INFORMATION: (734) 408-1581, http://www.umich.edu/~powwow/ or danceformotherearth@gmail.com