The Native American Students at Cornell (NASAC) organization will host its Second Annual Pow Wow and Smoke Dance Competition Sunday, April 9, in the Ramin Room of the Field House on the Cornell University campus. The event begins with a "Grand Entry," similar to a formal procession or parade, at 11 a.m. and continues throughout the day. It is free and open to the public.
The event features a variety of Native American foods, dancing and arts and crafts. Among the day's many activities will be performances of Iroquois social dancing as well as a smoke dance competition.
Smoke dancing, one of the highlights of the event, is a freestyle and fast-paced dance created by the Iroquois. Competitors will be judged on their grace, regalia and dancing skills. Bill Crouse, of the Seneca Nation, will serve as master of ceremonies, introducing such featured performers as award-winning singer Joanne Shenandoah. The Flint Nation Singers from the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation are scheduled to drum for the Smoke Dance Competition, and the North American Iroquois Veteran's Association will join in the Grand Entry and other festivities for a second year. This year the host drum will be played by Mystic River drummers from Mystic River, Conn. The Young Nation Singers from the Tonawanda Seneca Nation and Silver Cloud also have been invited.
For more information about these events, contact Carmen Rosetta Jones at the Cornell American Indian Program, 255-1921, or by e-mail at crj3@cornell.edu.
| Cornell Chronicle Front Page | | Table of Contents | | Cornell News Service Home Page |