‪(WEATHER UPDATE April 7 – 7pm): #FirstNations #Powwow location changed to parking lot 20 on Barstow Ave. (east of Cedar). Rain or shine! ‬

Fresno State’s First Nations American Indian Student Organization will host its 26th annual Fresno State “Water Is Life” Powwow on Saturday, April 8, at O’Neil Park (Barstow and Woodrow avenues).

The free, public event will begin with the open gourd dance at 11 a.m., followed by the grand entry at 12:30 p.m. The closing ceremony will be at 9 p.m.

The ceremony will be led by master of ceremonies Tom Philips. Head dancers include Head Man Jose Red Sky of the Yaqui tribe, Head Woman Heidi Jaramillo of the Muscogee Creek tribe, Head Girl Rebecca Manuel of the Comanche and Tule River Yokut tribe and Head Boy Tah-Wun-Nahl Gibson of the Tule River Yokut tribe. JR Manuel will serve as the arena director.

Host North Drum Bloodriver and Host South Drum Red Buffalo will perform music.

Food vendors, arts and crafts booths and cultural displays will be featured. The event will also feature a dance contest. All dancers and drummers are welcome.

Drugs, alcohol and pets are prohibited. Attendees are advised to bring their own chairs.

The mission of the First Nations American Indian Student Organization is to bring awareness of indigenous culture by building upon camaraderie of indigenous communities, said Brandy Jaramillo, president of First Nations.

For more information, contact Jaramillo at branbran77@mail.fresnostate.edu or 559.974.377, or see the First Nations Facebook page: First Nations Indigenous Student Organization

“Water Is Life” Powwow
SCHEDULE

11am Open Gourd
12:30pm Grand Entry
12:45-4:15pm Intertribal/Contest Dancing
4:30-5:30pm Dinner Break – Aztec Dancers
5:30pm Grand Entry
5:45-8:45pm Intertribal/Contest Dancing
9pm Closing