The steady beat of drums, the rustle of beads, and rhythmic dancing of feet young and old fill the gymnasium with life. Veterans, singers, drummers, children and North American Indigenous community members from Midwest Tribes gather for Michigan State University’s 39th annual Powwow of Love Feb. 22 at IM East. Hosted by the MSU North American Indigenous Student Organization, the event is an important part of MSU’s annual cultural festivities, serving as a powerful celebration of North American Indigenous culture, music and traditions. 

Powwows have been practiced for more than 130 years in North American Indigenous communities. They are spaces for celebration, storytelling and healing. The Powwow of Love serves to share Native cultures and reak stereotypes. It’s an opportunity for children to learn from elders by passing down traditions and a space for Native communities to grow a sense of identity, community and connection.

What is the Powwow of Love?

The Powwow of Love is the largest student-run event on MSU’s campus, taking nearly a year to plan. A committee of six students and two advisors organized this year’s event, supported by numerous generous volunteers. This year’s theme, Passing the Torch: Weaving the Bonds Between 7 Generations, emphasized the respect and knowledge passed down between generations. It encouraged attendees to consider the long-term impacts of environmental decisions, as well as how community and cultural identity will look for future generations of children.

Over 1,500 attendees, including students, children, elders, veterans, families and allies from Michigan and beyond gathered to celebrate and support Native communities. The powwow creates an opportunity for Indigenous people to practice rich traditions and share stories to keep their culture alive. The event was filled with Native vendors selling handmade jewelry, clothing, beadwork, body care, decorations and crafts. They also served frybread and Indian tacos.

The Grand Entry kicked off the celebration, a ceremonial procession calling everyone’s attention to the dance floor. Able attendees stood in respect of the veterans, community leaders, flag bearers and dancers as they entered the arena. Head veteran dancer George Martin, a Korean War veteran, led the procession along with flag bearers representing their Tribes and the country. They marched to the steady beat of the drum groups, including Crazy Spirit (Head Drum), Ribbon Town, Frog Hills, Sharp Feather and Mixed Company. A prayer and veteran-honoring ceremony followed, with each veteran’s Tribal affiliation and service announced. All dancers were then invited onto the floor, sparking a sense of unity and excitement for the day-long celebration.

Dancing is a sacred practice passed down through generations and a powerful tool for storytelling, healing and community building for Native Tribes. Throughout the day, dancers performed traditional dances, including the Smoke Dance, Graduation Special, Sweetheart Dance, Tiny Tots, Potato Dance, Fancy Shawl, Jingle Dress, Grass Dance, Men’s Traditional, Women’s Traditional, Men’s Woodland, Ribbon Town and Southern Straight. These sacred dances are expressions of cultural identity, history, spirituality and celebration. 

Connecting to Identity

Maggie Broderick is a sophomore studying computer science with a minor in Indigenous studies and served as NAISO’s and the Powwow Board’s public relations chair. Broderick grew up in a small town in Ohio with little Native representation or community. As one of two Native families in her area, Broderick knew she wanted to explore her culture and identity when she arrived at MSU, which led to her work with NAISO. As a first-year student, Broderick attended her first powwow as a volunteer. She stayed the entire day, well beyond her two-hour requirement, because of the strong sense of belonging and community she discovered. 

This year’s powwow is one of Broderick’s favorite memories, seeing the planning committee’s hard work come to fruition with the support of NAISO and friends. Her favorite part of Native events is the mutual respect and involvement for every generation, young and old. In contrast to some Western cultures, she noted, Native communities prioritize elders with seating, food and transportation and encourage children to play freely, offering stuffed animals to dance with. 

Broderick cherished the opportunity to wear her beadwork and ribbon skirt proudly, free from the pressure to explain her culture. Native students rarely get to wear traditional clothing in spaces where people understand and support its significance. As someone who is Haudenosaunee, Broderick was excited to see the Haudenosaunee Smoke Dance at the powwow, as it’s most commonly practiced in New York. She called it an awesome experience and joined an auntie in the open dance, celebrating her culture with joy.

“When I’m at powwow, I feel the most connected to my identity,” said Broderick. “It’s really nice for the Native community to get exposure and for people to see Native students and people existing and expressing who they are. It allows for more understanding of these cultures and tells people we’re here, not something that’s been lost with the Morrill Land-Grant.”

Native events foster education, helping non-Natives and allies by replacing stereotypes with real people who deserve empathy and respect. Ignorance makes it easier to rely on stereotypes, but the powwow changes these misconceptions by providing firsthand learning experiences. Broderick hopes attendees from the broader Lansing community and beyond can engage and learn by talking to vendors, watching the dances, and listening to the drums and prayers, instead of relying solely on textbooks or single narratives. Through these interactions, she hopes they gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultures around them.

A Piece of Home

Logan Merill, a member of the Navajo Nation and junior studying human biology, attended the Powwow of Love for the second year in a row. Raised in New Mexico outside the Navajo Nation reservation, Merill grew up attending powwows with his family. He chose to attend MSU because of the North American Indigenous scholarships, including the Meijer Kennedy Turtle Island Scholarship, which gives out-of-state North American Indigenous students in-state status, and the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver, which waives tuition of Michigan residents. 

At the Powwow of Love, Merill found pieces of home in the music, traditional outfits and hairstyles worn by the community. He was especially moved by seeing an old traditional Navajo rug dress made from two rugs sewn together. The Navajos are famous for their rug weaving, inspired by the style he fondly remembers crocheting similar dresses for his sisters growing up. Merill also recognized traditional bun hairstyles worn by many women, a hairstyle used by Navajo elders today. 

Merill said he loved watching the tiny dancers and the veterans, because the Navajo Nation is particularly proud of the Navajo Code Talkers, veterans during World War II who used their native language to create an unbreakable code for the U.S. Marine Corps. They’re famous around the Navajo community. 

Powwows have always aimed to bring people together and foster connection. Merill believes many hesitate to attend out of fear of offending others, but most people remain unfamiliar with Native culture. The powwow offers a chance to spark curiosity and remind people that North American Indigenous peoples and their traditions cannot be forgotten. 

“Growing up, powwows were a big moment for the community to gather. It’s something that’s been done for generations,” said Merill. “It allows people to be proud of what they’ve done, who they are, and who they used to be.

For Merill, the powwow was awe-inspiring, watching history in motion and witnessing the practice of centuries-old traditions. He hopes to see more Native art, including paintings, pottery or weavings, and Native representation on campus to further uplift Indigenous voices and experiences.

“Culture has always been less about being Navajo but more about being my mother’s son. The goal is to make sure my mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are proud of me,” said Merill. “My ancestors worked so hard, and I want them to know they didn’t do it all for nothing.”

For Future Generations

The Powwow of Love is more than a celebration. It is a testament to the resilience, unity and importance of Native traditions and voices. From the steady drumbeats and Grand Entry to the laughter of tiny dancers, this year’s Powwow of Love honored the past while inspiring future generations. 
One vendor told Broderick, “This was one of the best powwows I’ve seen, and I’ve been to a lot of powwows. This is the best committee ever!”

The impact of the event extended beyond Native attendees, as non-Native allies embraced the opportunity to learn, engage and celebrate beside Indigenous people. Through storytelling, dance, music and community, the powwow created a space for healing and connection, not just for Native attendees but for the broader MSU and midwest communities to listen, learn and grow.

By bringing people together across multiple backgrounds and generations, the Powwow of Love continues to pass down traditions, ensuring that Native heritage and practices remain alive and thriving for generations to come. 

Learn more about the Powwow of Love at ocat.msu.edu/pow-wow-of-love. 

Author: Olivia Williams, student communications assistant

Photos: Dane Robinson