The third annual Pow Wow and Smoke Dance at Cornell is April 7

A Native American performer takes part in last year's smoke dance competition in the Ramin Room of Bartels Hall. This year's event, April 7, is in Barton Hall. Nicola Kountoupes/University Photography

The Native American Students at Cornell (NASAC) organization will host its third annual Pow Wow and Smoke Dance Competition Sunday, April 7, in Barton Hall on campus. The event begins with a "Grand Entry," similar to a formal procession or parade, at 11 a.m. and continues until 7 p.m. 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. The North American Iroquois Veteran's Association will join in the Grand Entry and other festivities for a third year. This year the host drum will be Mystic River drummers from Mystic, Conn.; White Fish Juniors, of Michigan; and Eastern Sky, of Salamanca, N.Y.

For more information, contact Carmen Jones at the American Indian Program, 255-1919, or by e-mail at crj3@cornell.edu.