To help raise awareness about Indigenous Peoples Day, Lawrence University, is hosting a Native American Pow-wow demonstration Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 11:10 a.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.
The program will feature the award-winning Menominee Nation Smokeytown singers and drum group along with local tribal dancers, sharing their unique history and musical traditions. The pow-wow is part of a national effort to reimagine the traditional Columbus Day holiday, shifting it from a celebration of colonialism into an opportunity to focus on the many positive contributions of indigenous people in America.
“My hope is for our audience to get a first-hand glimpse of the resiliency and sheer beauty of our culture that sometimes gets overlooked in school curriculum and national media,” said Brigetta Miller, associate professor of music education and ethnic studies at Lawrence, a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee (Mohican) Nation and an organizer of the event. “Pow-wows are a wonderful time for us to connect and come together as a community.”
The pow-wow is collaboratively supported by the Lawrence Diversity Center, Lawrence University Native Americans (LUNA), Goodwill NCW and the Appleton Area School District.
About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.
