This content was published: December 21, 2015. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Popular PCC powwow at Sylvania Campus to feature drums, dancing and more on Jan. 23
Photos and story by James Hill
Portland Community College expects more than 1,000 attendees for its leading cultural event.
The “Wacipi” (”They Dance”) Traditional Powwow always attracts a steady stream of fans and this year promises to be no different. The 17th annual powwow is slated for noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 23, in the Health Technology Building, Sylvania Campus (12000 SW 49th Ave.). It features drum groups and dancers from across the region, Native American crafts and food, activities for children, and raffle prizes. The Traditional Powwow, which will have American Sign Language interpretation and captioning available, is free and open to the public. Campus parking is also free.
The Grand Entries (dancing and drumming) are at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and the free community dinner gets under way at 5:30 p.m. In addition, a college fair is set for noon to 4 p.m., and there will be a plenty of activities for children throughout the day. Master of Ceremonies Bob Tom (Confederated Tribes of Siletz and Grand Ronde) and Whip Man Ed Goodell (Confederated Tribes of Siletz) will run the proceedings. “Bulls and Bears” and “Four Directions” will serve as co-host drums, and Jason Stacona (Warm Springs) and Gina Stacona (Oglala Lakota) are the head dancers. The event’s Color Guard is the Northwest Indian Veterans Association.
“One of the main goals of the day is to focus on youth,” said powwow volunteer Daniel Soucy. “The powwow enlightens visitors about Native American culture and provides inspiration, fellowship and encouragement to Native American students at the college as they work toward their goals in education.”Proceeds from the powwow support the Native American Student Scholarship, which aims to increase access and retention of Native American students at PCC. PCC and the Native American Rehabilitation Association sponsor this event.
In addition to the powwow, visitors can check out the campus’ “Welcoming Pole,” erected this year in Sylvania’s new front atrium of the College Center Building.
For more information on this year’s powwow, call (971) 722-4116, or email culture@pcc.edu.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »