Annual Powwow and Smokedance at Cornell

Powwows are festive occasions, incorporating a large number of individuals from different Nations in a celebration of Native cultural traditions. The primary intent of the Annual Powwow and Smokedance (a fast-paced Haudenosaunee [Iroquois] dance) is to share part of our Native cultures with the Cornell community and the greater Ithaca area, and to help forge and maintain relationships among diverse individuals and organizations.   We invite the general public to participate in a social dance or two, and take time during the Powwow to speak with our students and with the dancers, singers and vendors who come from a wide cross-section of Native Nations. We look forward to seeing you at the next Powwow in April 2009!

The Powwow Committee

The success of a powwow depends on a large number of individuals, each of whom contributes. Members of Native American Students at Cornell (NASAC) in particular work hard to showcase the Powwow, a cultural event that is widespread across Native America.

 

The Powwow Committee is a student interest group within the American Indian Program composed of diverse individuals with many different tribal affiliations, cultures and traditions from throughout the hemisphere. The committee includes both Native and non-Native undergraduate and graduate students who work together to plan and host the Annual Powwow and Smokedance, one of the largest cultural events held at Cornell University. Through its activities, the Committee highlights the rich culture and diversity of Native Nations and helps increase cultural awareness throughout the communities of New York State.

 

Code of Ethics

In order to encourage individual and community well-being, and to provide a safe environment during programmatic functions, the Powwow Committee has established a policy that prohibits the use or possession of any alcohol, intoxicating drugs or controlled substances, and prohibits sexual harassment and/or racial intolerance. This policy will be enforced throughout the duration of the Powwow, regardless of the participant’s location on-site or elsewhere. All Powwow participants will value and respect the rights and privileges of others, and will conduct themselves with the dignity that befits leaders, professionals and role models.

A Look Back: April 2008 Powwow

Head Staff

Master of Ceremonies

Marvin J. Burnette (Many Horses)

South Dakota

Marvin J. Burnette (Many Horses) is an Enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota and was raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  He is a Traditional Dancer and attends many powwows.  He has also had the honor to be Headman Dancer, be in the Native American Veteran Color/Honor Guard, and be emcee at a number of powwows throughout the country.  In addition, he has also been an actor and on Good Morning America, NYC.  He is extensively involved in providing Native American Awareness to numerous pre-schools, elementary, middle, high school, and various colleges/universities; also included are businesses and non-profit organizations. Furthermore, he is registered with the New Hampshire State Council on The Arts and has worked on numerous other community and company related programs.

Head Judge

Beverly Porter

Tonawanda Band of Seneca , New York

Beverly Porter is a member of the Tonawanda band of Seneca and is in the Heron Clan.

Beverly Porter is the organizer and manager of the Buffalo Creek Dancers. Since 1989, this group has traveled all over the country and even danced at the opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. Overall, her focus remains on encouraging the younger generations to learn about and celebrate these crafts and traditions.  

Arena Director

Scott Templin

(Maya/Miccosukee) grew up on the Miccosukee Indian Reservation in the Florida Everglades.  A practitioner of traditional Miccosukee Stompdance religion, he has been involved in university powwows at both the University of Oklahoma and Harvard University.

Smokedance Singer

Solon Spruce

Lawtons, New York

Solon Spruce is a Tonawanda Seneca man from the Cattaraugus Indian reservation and born from the Bear Clan. He has been dancing and singing most of his life. He has also traveled throughout the United States and Canada to share these cultural talents.

Head Man Dancer

Zachary Bartosik ‘11

Quebec City, QC

Zachary is a freshman in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Near Eastern Studies. He is a resident of Akwe: kon and is an active Grassdancer, as well as a Fancydancer. Zachary is a citizen of the Huron Nation.

Head Woman Dancer

Aviva Horowitz ‘10

Niagara Falls, New York

Aviva is a sophomore in Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences majoring in Development Sociology with a minor in American Indian Studies. She is a resident of Akwe: kon and is a co-chair of Native American Students at Cornell, as well as an active member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.  In addition, she serves as the Treasurer and Head of Fundraising for the Powwow Committee. Aviva is a citizen of the Cayuga Nation.

 

Host Drum

Whitefish Juniors

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada

The Whitefish Jrs. are a Cree Group from the Big River Band located near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada.  Harvey Dreaver (Lead Singer) has lead his drum group across Canada and the United States. The group has hosted and won numerous singing contests. In 1994, the Whitefish Jrs. were declared World Class Singing Champions at the All Nations Gathering in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The White Fish Jrs. also received a Second Place finish in the World Singing Championships at Schemitzun ‘94 in Hartford, Connecticut. White Fish Jrs. have become an internationally known group and were invited to WOMEX in Berlin, Germany (November 2000). To learn more and hear music from this group, visit www.sweetgrassrecords.com/whitefish.

Invited Drum

Young Gunz

Western NY

The group consists of Haudenosaunee (Six Nation), Ojibway and Cree singers collectively composing songs of unity. Young Gunz songs provide a fusion of new and old styles, bringing together a proud past and an everlasting future. They are called "Young Gunz" because they arm themselves with young hearts! They travel nationally and internationally, and have won several contest powwows. Young Gunz' natural passion is to sing for traditional powwows, as it is the root of their success.

Color Guard

Iroquois Post 1857 American Legion Colorguard

Gowanda, NY

 

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Supporters

Ongweoweh

SAFC

Susan Murphy, Vice President for Student & Academic Services, Cornell University

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

American Indian Program

Akwe:kon

Diversity Programming in Engineering

City and Regional Planning

School of Hotel Administration

Ecology House

Balch Hall

Latino Living Center

Donlon Hall

HILC

CCAIGPS

Jeanne Butler, Graphic Designer

Campus Life Marketing & Communications, Cornell University