This content was published: January 5, 2001. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC to Stage Second Annual Winter Powwow Jan. 20
Photos and story by James Hill
SYLVANIA CAMPUS – Portland Community College will host the second annual Native American Winter Powwow between noon and midnight on Saturday, Jan. 20 in the HT Building’s gymnasium on the Sylvania Campus, located at 12000 S.W. 49th Avenue. It will be 12 hours of American Indian dancing and drumming, informational and educational exhibits, arts and crafts, and fry bread. The first grand entry will be at 1 p.m. with a dinner break at 5:30 p.m. and the second grand entry at 7 p.m. The admission to the event is free of charge. The powwow will feature Arlie Neskahi as master of ceremonies, Craig Whitehead as whip man, and Rattling Thunder as host drum."It’s an opportunity for PCC to provide support to the Native American community and the students that are here,"said Claire Oliveros, coordinator of the Multicultural Center. "It’s a great recruitment for outreach and to demonstrate PCC’s commitment to cultural awareness and understanding."The winter powwow came from an idea to offer a community celebration for the American Indian and campus communities. It will also help highlight the totem pole project. The pole will be raised on the Sylvania Campus in late May. Rowan Wolf, PCC sociology instructor and advisor to the college’s Native American Club, said, "As one of the primary institutions of higher education in Oregon, I feel that PCC’s hosting of the winter powwow sends a powerful message of outreach and inclusion. It has positive impacts that go beyond the event itself."PCC groups sponsoring the event include the Native American Student Association, the Multicultural Center, Student Programs and Involvement Network, and the Women’s Resource Center.For vendor information call 503-977-4116, or 503-977-4114. For special accommodations, contact 503-977- 4341 (TTY: 503-246-4072) at least 72 hours in advance of the powwow.