Pow wow

CMU's 37th Annual "Celebrating Life" Pow wow is one of the best ways to experience Indigenous culture. Pow wows are one way Indigenous people come together to dance, sing, visit, share handmade crafts, make new friendships, and renew old ones.

Dancing and singing have been a very important part of Indigenous culture. As various tribal communities came together, they share songs and dances with one another. Many songs today are sung in “vocables” with no words although there are still newly composed or revivals of old songs that are sung in indigenous languages. “Vocables” were used to replace the words of old songs so that singers from different tribes could join. The songs heard at a Pow wow are reminders to Indigenous people of their traditional ways and rich heritage and still hold special meaning.

This year's Annual "Celebrating Life" Pow wow

March 21 and 22, 2026

John G. Kulhavi Events Center | McGuirk Arena
Join us for a cultural experience of singing, dance, arts & crafts, and food!

Grand entries

• Saturday, 3/21 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
• Doors open at 11:00 a.m.
  
• Sunday, 3/22 12:00 pm
• Doors open at 10:00 a.m.
  

Most dances seen at Pow wows today are social dances that might have had different meanings in earlier days. Although dance styles and content have changed, their meaning and importance have not. The outfits or regalia worn by the dancers, like the styles of clothing today, evolve over time. It is not a stagnant culture, but a vibrant and changing way of life.

Prizes

$10 Dance Registration Per Dancer
$100 Registration Per Drum

Drum Contest

1st - $4,000 | 2nd - $3,000 | 3rd - $2,000

Dance Contest

Youth (6–11) Traditional, Grass, Fancy Bustle Traditional, Jingle, Fancy Shawl 1st - $100 | 2nd - $75 | 3rd - $50 | 4th - $25

Teen (12–17) Traditional, Grass, Fancy Bustle Traditional, Jingle, Fancy Shawl 1st - $200 | 2nd - $150 | 3rd - $100 | 4th - $50

Adult (18–49) Traditional, Grass, Fancy Bustle Traditional, Jingle, Fancy Shawl 1st - $400 | 2nd - $300 | 3rd - $200 | 4th - $100

Golden Age Dance Contest (50+) Men Combined / Women Combined 1st - $400 | 2nd - $300 | 3rd - $200 | 4th - $100

^{Dancers must provide SSN, Canadian Nationals must fill out W-8BEN. CMU is required to withhold 30.00% tax payments made to all non-US citizens.}

Dignitaries

Emcee — Mike Medawis

Host Drum — Meskwaki Nation

Head Veteran — Walker Stonefish

Arena Director — Little Man Quintero

Head Dance Judge — Onyleen Zapata