MORRIS — The concrete brick walls of the Cougar Sports Center reverberated with the sounds of beating drums and chants at the University of Minnesota Morris campus Saturday afternoon.
The moment was momentous — it was the first time the Circle of Nations Indigenous Association brought its annual powwow back to the university following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CNIA's annual powwow — this year marked the 37th such event — brought Native Americans from beyond state lines to congregate together once again. Attendees dressed in their very best vibrant traditional clothing before dancing the afternoon away with friends and family.
The annual event "celebrates the social and cultural ties American Indian students have with Native communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota," according to a news release from the university.
The contest-style powwow featured various categories in which dancers could compete, varying from age-specific contests to traditional, jingle, fancy and grass dances. Three additional contests included woodland dance, a hand drum contest and a potato dance.
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The master of ceremonies for this year's event was Ronny Goodeagle, Jr. Gabe Desrosiers served as arena director, Freddie Gipp as head judge, and Iron Boy as host drum. The Sisseton Vietnam Veterans Society served as the honor guard.
