Student-run spring pow wow a celebration of inclusion

The Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA), in collaboration with Multicultural Student Affairs and several Northwestern partners, held a traditional pow wow on campus recently.

The May 7 event at Welsh-Ryan Arena brought together more than 200 people — many in traditional dress — for a celebration among Native and non-Native participants that included students, faculty, neighbors and even students from other colleges.

“By hosting a pow wow and, hopefully, having it be an annual event, we are indigenizing Northwestern in one more way,” said graduating senior and NAISA co-chair Isabel St. Arnold. “It is a space where there is opportunity for not only Native people to connect with each other, but also for non-Native people to build meaningful relationships with Native people and communities.”