At a glance
The FN @ UW Spring Powwow, held on April 12-13, 2025, at the Hec Edmundson Pavilion, will celebrate Indigenous cultures with… Read full summary
- Funding received
- 2024-2025
- Large
- Awarded
- $15,000
- Funding partners
-
- Services and Activities Fee (SAF)
- Website & social links
The FN @ UW Spring Powwow, held on April 12-13, 2025, at the Hec Edmundson Pavilion, will celebrate Indigenous cultures with around 6,000-7,000 guests. Organized by First Nations at UW, this 54th annual event features dance competitions, drum performances, Native cuisine, vendors, and community storytelling. It aims to foster cultural connections, support Native students, and give back to Indigenous communities. The powwow emphasizes sustainability with fresh, homemade food and compostable utensils. Volunteers, performers, and community leaders ensure the event is a safe and welcoming space, highlighting the resilience of Indigenous cultures and the importance of land stewardship.
The FN @ UW Spring Powwow is hosted during the weekend of April 12th-13th, 2025 and our longstanding relationship with the Hec Edmundson Pavilion has reserved this space for this community event. We are excited to host approximately 6,000 to 7,000 guests, relatives, and community members to celebrate our diverse Indigenous cultures. First Nations is a Registered Student Organization that uplifts and supports all Native students across higher education. Spring Powwow is one of the many ways we bring our communities together, recruit Native students, and promote retention within higher education. Our 54th annual Powwow will include various aspects of culture such as dance competitions, featuring traditional dances such as jingle grass and contemporary dances like fancy shawl and fancy bustle, as well as drum performances, concessions selling Native cuisine, Native vendors, and community storytelling. We believe in the importance of continuing culture and giving back to the communities who support us, as an important aspect of the powwow is how monetary support is cycled back into our communities through vendors, food, dance competitions, and honoring. FN @ UW Powwow is only possible with the land that we are on and the relationship FN @ UW has with dxʷdəwʔabš. We continue to acknowledge the resilience of our ancestors and the cultures they ensured we would inherit, as well as the earth and its gifts for our people. Our ancestors and our land provide us with good medicine and the opportunity to grow cultural connections. Our intentional choices of making our own food and having volunteers cook our food fresh, as well as using compostable utensils are ways in which we show our support to the land we continue to steward. Though we have many Native volunteers, performers, and vendors, the powwow is also a time to invite the community in to learn about our culture and celebrate abundance and reciprocity. Our dances and competitions are only made possible through the contributions of our Head Staff, upstanding members in our communities who demonstrate Indigenous values and walk a good path. Drums are the heartbeat of the powwow and we are honored to invite Host drums who share their songs and good medicine with us. The Arena Director is someone who is steeped in their culture and connected with their community, ensuring we follow protocol and create a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees. With the support of CSF and their shared appreciation for the land we live on, we believe this powwow would be an event that helps culture blossom, uplifts all who attend, and enlightens all who witness.
Kennedy Stone
Project lead
- stoneka@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 3 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- First Nations @ UW
Tena Faith Bear Don't Walk
Team member
- Tbear2@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 1 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- First Nations @ UW
Alan Galvez
Team member
- Aagalvez@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Staff
- Affiliated groups
- Senior Advisor at SAO for First Nations
Esteemed members of the Campus Sustainability Fund committee and staff:
Hello! My name is Kennedy Stone, and I am a descendant of the Grand Portage Band of the Chippewa tribe. I am currently studying Medical Anthropology and am this year's Fundraising chair for First Nations at the University of Washington. As the smallest student group on campus, First Nations (American Indian/Alaska Native) students comprise less than 1% of the student population. However, we host one of the largest attended events on campus, our annual First Nations Powwow at the University of Washington. In addition, we host various events throughout the year such as Taking Back the Dinner, and Round Dances to revitalize our culture and give back to our land and ancestors. Our community has been working hand in hand since we were first formed in 1989 to aid in creating a welcoming space for Indigenous students and educating both native and nonnative students on the importance of history. In such a dynamic world with rich diversity we endeavor to support Native students in their path of higher education. Whether it's through hosting one of the largest events on campus or intimate cultural workshops, First Nations strives to enlighten students in their pursuit of identity and knowledge.
The 54th Powwow is our second Powwow coming out of the great disruption covid caused, and we are incredibly motivated to make up for the years we lost by bringing in a plethora of events and local tribes. This powwow will be hosted over two days, from April 12th-13th. at the Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, Washington. Attendees ranging from students, staff, community members and tribes across the states, will experience multiple traditional styles and contest dances such as jingle, fancy shawl and grass. Furthermore, our local economy will be stimulated through the 35+ vendors invited to sell traditional and contemporary artwork. Most importantly, at the very core of our powwow, is the rejoining of community and strengthening of kinship. Having these two days makes all the difference, allowing for us to incorporate and support intertribal relations and give ample time for all tribes to practice their traditions and interact with elders and community members. Many returning vendors and attendees participate in singing and dancing as well as exchange traditions and regalia in celebration of the coming together of community.
As Native people's sustainability is founded in the roots of our tradition. We gather in celebration of the seasons and view the salmon we catch as relatives of our own. The fundamental ideas of replenishing each other and paying respect to the land are second to none. As native peoples of this land we have practiced and continue to practice nurturing our environment and taking only as much as is needed. By allowing the voices of the indigenous people to be heard we can decolonize consumption and encourage the sustainability that our ancestors called sacred. We at First Nations make a habit of tending to the native garden on campus and encourage members to get involved in giving back to the earth. Composting is also of large consideration to us when planning this event. Many tools and utensils we use when serving food are compostable so as to limit our waste production. Furthermore, we make sure to utilize all resources we may have from previous years including any leftover supplies, nonperishable canned goods, and decor.
Our social sustainability is also at the forefront of our minds. Each year our annual Spring powwow brings together approximately 7000 intertribal individuals, indulging all indigenous peoples in the celebration of life and land. We are asking for support from your organization in the sum of $15,000. With this aid we aim to cover the increasing costs of facility rentals. Over the past two years, inflation has risen our prices from approximately $40,000 to $60,000 total just for facility use. This grant would provide First Nations and the Powwow’s attendees with a spacious and safe environment to practice our traditions as well as accommodate the growing crowd of people taking part in our events. As sustainability is an important factor in planning our event, we would appreciate any guidance on how to make our event more environmentally friendly and are happy to share that we are continuing to use compostable kitchen and food ware. In addition, we continue to make our own fry bread to discourage overproduction and bring the community together to learn the important practice of nourishing our bodies. This not only brings our Native heritage to the forefront of our group’s event, but it has also been a successful sustainability practice year after year.
The 54th Annual Spring Powwow could not happen without the tireless effort of our officer team and help from the University of Washington’s professional staff Alan Galvez and Nate Panelo. As a student led organization, our Co-Chairwomen Mahela Cabrini and Tena Faith Bear Don't Walk have put hours of work into making sure to uphold the tradition that has defined their First Nations experience at the University of Washington. Powwow has not only been a key experience in finding my identity but continues to do the same for many first-generation Indigenous students and tribal affiliated peoples pursuing higher education. This year we are excited to make new and meaningful connections and celebrate our land and growing community.
Our officers this year hope to make these dreams into a reality with your support and would like to thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to hearing from you again soon!
Michael Yates
Event Planning
- yatzee37@gmail.com
- Affiliation and department
- Intellectual House Manager
- Stakeholder approval form
Nate Panelo
OMAD advisor
- panelon@uw.edu
- Affiliation and department
- Ethnic Cultural Center
- Stakeholder approval form
Alan
Finacle Director
- aagalvez@uw.edu
- Affiliation and department
- Senior Adviser
- Stakeholder approval form
Request amount and budget
15,000 request
(This budget pulls from the previous years estimated budget, with an increase of 3.5% to account for inflation). As noted in the following list our expenses include, Facility Rentals, Insurance, Security, Honorarium, Equipment, Food and Merchandise. Below is a more detailed look at exact amounts and specific purchases that have been made in previous years.
FACILITIES
Facility Rental:
Original: $34,636.00
Adjusted (3.5%): $35,855.26
Insurance:
Original: $1,036.00
Adjusted (3.5%): $1,071.26
Security (3 UWPD Offc - 19 hr @ 95/hr):
Original: $2,257.00
Adjusted (3.5%): $2,332.00
Allied Security:
Original: $6,720.00
Adjusted (3.5%): $6,951.20
Carpet:
Original: $20,000.00
Adjusted (3.5%): $20,700.00
Total Facilities:
Original: $64,649.00
Adjusted: $67,909.72
STAFF/HONORARIUMS
- Volunteer Staff/Security Expenses:
- Original: $1,940.00
- Adjusted (3.5%): $2,006.90
- Honoraria:
- 1 Host Drum: $3,000.00 (no change)
- MC: $800.00 (no change)
- Arena Director: $800.00 (no change)
- Head Staff (each): $800.00 (no change)
- Head Staff Lodging: $3,200.00 (no change)
- Honor Songs: $50.00 (no change)
- Opening Prayer: $50.00 (no change)
- Mic Holders: $50.00 (no change)
- Drum Day Pay:
- Day One: $3,000.00
- Day Two: $3,000.00
Total Honoraria: $14,700.00 (no change)
Total Staff/Honorariums:
Original: $16,640.00
Adjusted: $18,646.90
EQUIPMENT
- Frybread Tent Equipment:
- Fryers: $1,300.00
- Oil: $300.00
- Oil Disposal Bin: $300.00
- Propane: $240.00
Total Frybread Equipment: $2,140.00
SUPPLIES
- Marketing:
- Artist Pay: $700.00
- Total Marketing: $700.00
- Concessions (T-shirts):
- Volunteer: $1,000.00
- Selling: $2,000.00
Total T-shirts: $3,000.00
- Other Supplies:
- Office Expenses: $400.00
Total Other Supplies: $400.00
Total Supplies:
Original: $4,100.00
Adjusted: $4,248.00
OTHER COSTS
- Motor Pool (pickup/drop off equipment):
- Original: $200.00
- Adjusted (3.5%): $207.00
- Elder/Dancer Dinner:
Original: $6,000.00
Adjusted (3.5%): $6,210.00
Total Other Costs:
Original: $6,200.00
Adjusted: $6,417.00
Total Estimated Budget Summary (Adjusted for 2025 Inflation)
- Facilities: $67,909.72
- Staff/Honorariums: $18,646.90
- Equipment: $6,533.75
- Supplies: $4,248.00
- Other Costs: $6,417.00
Grand Total (2025): $103,755.37
How the project will react to funding reductions
Last year, we requested $15,000 from the Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) and received $13,250. While we didn't receive the proposed $15,000, it helped us formulate a strategy in case of a reduction in funding. For this year, we are requesting the full $15,000 again to account for the rising costs of inflation. Even with a 10% funding reduction last year, we made necessary adjustments by cutting some expenses and increasing club fundraising.
If our funding request is reduced, we will prioritize covering the carpet cost and increase our fundraising efforts as an RSO. While this would present a challenge, our main goal is to ease the burden of facility costs and make them more manageable. With a 10% funding reduction, we would use the funds primarily for the carpet and cover half of the security expenses.
If our funding is reduced by 20%, we would still be able to cover the carpet cost of $10,000 and allocate the remaining $2,000 toward essential equipment such as walkie-talkies and office supplies. A 50% cut would prevent us from fully covering the carpet cost, but we would direct any funds received toward this critical expense. The carpet for our dancers is our second-largest expense, following the facility rental, and is a key focus of our fundraising and budgeting efforts.
Overall, we are committed to making adjustments as needed, with a focus on ensuring that the event remains successful and accessible despite financial challenges. The support from CSF is crucial in helping us meet these objectives and continue to host a vibrant and impactful powwow.
Plans for financial longevity
This year’s Spring powwow is scheduled for April 12th and 13th. Because of this, any allocated funds must be used by the end of the day on April 13th. Exceptions to this rule could include reimbursements, such as payments to vendors for security deposits on borrowed tables and chairs, or for officers and staff who need to purchase last-minute resources. Many of our expenses, however, are prepaid, including facility rentals, infrastructure, equipment, arena carpeting, and more.
The Finance Chair and Fundraiser Chair are responsible for creating accurate budgets and allocating resources throughout the planning process and event. The Finance Chair, in tandem with our financial advisor, monitors the bank account, allocates funds, and provides expenditure summaries, while the Fundraiser Chair applies for grants, supports budgeting, and oversees the implementation and payment of funds from funding partners. With both chairs cross-checking with each other, working with our financial advisor, and updating officers outside the finance realm, we ensure funds are tracked frequently and kept transparent. Additionally, our SAO advisors and Native faculty assist in budgeting and the proper implementation of grants.
In summary, while most of our expenses are prepaid, we make sure to closely monitor and allocate funds efficiently. With careful planning and oversight from the Finance and Fundraiser Chairs, along with guidance from our advisors, we maintain transparency and accountability in all financial matters related to the event.
Begin applying for grants October 2024
Reserve and pay for Hec Edmundson pavilion Reservation complete payment by end of January
Vendor applications open January 1st 2025
Pay for carpeting January 15th 2025
Have specials Finalized January 2025
Have security Finalized February 2025
Walkthrough Week of February 18th
Make preliminary Costco run March 2025
Finalize flyers and promotional items (including sponsorships) February 15th 2025
Frybread Workshop March 2025
Vendor applications close March 15th 2025
Area tape down ~April 7th
Powwow day April 12th and 13th
Head staff Honorarium handed out April 14-19th
Plans for long-term project management
The University of Washington's Powwow has 53 years behind it as of this year. Though it may only be annual, it is something we work towards year round. It is because of this that we create many volunteer positions. These positions aid in inspiring new students to continue to pursue powwow and try out various roles and responsibilities.
First Nations has a quick turn around, finding new powwow officers each year in advance of the next year by hosting meetings and having members fill out voting forms in the weeks leading up to the end of the academic year. By setting a good example for those entering UW or in their first year at First Nations we hope to continue fostering the passion for powwow in native communities. Powwows often leave a lasting impression on those who attend, encouraging people to keep in touch, continue practicing dance, and sparking peoples love for various arts such as beading and medicine making. Each powwow adds more expertise and support for the next.
Despite the challenging barriers of covid, First Nations was still able to get powwows back up and running in 2022. First Nations has demonstrated their ability to keep momentum and foster long lasting connections. Our next Powwow Chair is yet to be decided, however there are many active members that are not only currently planning powwow but have shown they value continuing this tradition for years to come.
Problem statement
Indigenous ideologies have significantly influenced the sustainability practices upheld during the FN @ UWSpring Powwow. Indigenous communities share a sacred relationship with the land, one that emphasizes respect, responsibility, and reciprocity. These values are fundamental to our worldview, and preserving the health of the environment for future generations. This deep connection to the land not only shapes the way Indigenous peoples interact with nature but also informs our approach to sustainability, fostering practices that prioritize ecological health and long-term preservation.
A key element of sustainability at the FN @ UW Spring Powwow is food sovereignty. This concept highlights the right of Indigenous communities to steward our food sources, choose what we eat, and ensure our food systems are traditional, ecologically sustainable, and spiritually empowering. Food sovereignty goes beyond simply providing food, it is also about empowering Native communities to make decisions that align with cultural values and promote public health and wellness. For the Spring Powwow, First Nations is responsible for selecting the food for all attendees. This responsibility allows us to ensure that the food served aligns with our values of sustainability, as we buy food from Native-owned companies who have ethically and traditionally harvested their food. When people eat this traditional food, it not only provides sustenance but spiritual health and healing.
In past years, we have chosen to prepare and serve our food at the powwow. This decision supports our goal of food sovereignty by reducing waste, as well as minimizing our environmental footprint. By making the food ourselves, we can choose tribal, local, eco-friendly food sources, while also utilizing compostable containers, which significantly reduce the use of single-use plastics. These choices are part of a larger effort to create community-based solutions that foster a collective attitude toward sustainability. This collaborative process encourages powwow attendees to take responsibility for the environment and recognize the interconnectedness of their actions with the land.
Indigenous teachings about environmental stewardship are not limited to food practices but extend to many aspects of daily life and ceremonial events. These teachings underscore the importance of maintaining a balance with the land, and Indigenous communities have developed detailed practices over time immemorial that ensure the sustainability of natural resources and gifts. The FN @ UW Spring Powwow serves as a vehicle for these teachings, providing a visible space for Indigenous communities to demonstrate culturally sustainable practices and address environmental issues. By highlighting our cultural teachings, we hope to inspire outside audiences to look at ecological problems through TEK, otherwise known as Traditional Educational Knowledge.
Our goal is not only to reduce the environmental impact of the event but also to educate the broader university community about the importance of viewing environmental challenges from an Indigenous perspective. In this way, the Spring Powwow becomes an opportunity for both celebration and education, showcasing the power of Indigenous wisdom and knowledge in addressing contemporary ecological issues. By incorporating sustainability practices that reflect our cultural values, we hope to lead by example and inspire others to adopt more environmentally conscious behaviors.
Problem context
UW is home to several sustainability, innovation, and community-oriented programs aimed at fostering positive social, environmental, and economic impacts. These include programs such as the UW Sustainability, the Clean Energy Institute, the Center for Communication and Civic Engagement, and student-led initiatives like the Husky Green Fund. These initiatives represent UW's diverse range of efforts in addressing challenges in sustainability, social equity, and innovation. These movements hold valuable resources, networks, and infrastructure that could support and amplify the impact of FN @ UW Spring Powwow.
First Nation's Spring Powwow aims to complement and amplify existing initiatives by enhancing collaborative efforts across students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. For instance, while UW’s sustainability programs are focused on reducing the environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices, First Nations Spring Powwow specifically targets education on food sovereignty in Indigenous cultures as well as promoting waste management values within our concessions by leveraging the collective expertise, resources, and community connections at UW. By working in tandem with existing sustainability and community engagement programs, this powwow will give a platform for UW's sustainability programs to shine.
To ensure that this Spring Powwow aligns with the existing UW ecosystem, it will take the form of a community-driven, collaborative initiative that encourages participation from across disciplines. For example, Spring Powwow's concessions focus on waste reduction during this event and could involve a partnership with student groups like UW Environmental Stewardship or sustainable food organizations that would allow for more rapid engagement with students and increase UW's Spring Powwow sustainability impact.
Ultimately, FN @ UW Spring Powwow complements and builds on UW’s current efforts to promote collective action for social good, environmental sustainability, and community development. It seeks to unify diverse perspectives, deepen partnerships, and create long-lasting, positive impact in a way that magnifies the work already being done within the university and beyond.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Growing Native Community | over 5000 attendees, about 40 indigenous vendors | Undergraduate, Graduate |
| Creating Volunteer Opportunities | about 100 volunteers | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
This year, the primary focus of our advertisements is to raise awareness about the upcoming powwow and emphasize its rich cultural and historical significance. A powwow is a vibrant, community-driven event deeply rooted in the traditions of indigenous peoples of the plains regions. It provides an opportunity for people to experience an array of traditional food, music, dance, and art, all while celebrating and preserving the teachings and customs passed down through generations. This event brings together Indigenous peoples from multiple tribes across the United States, fostering unity, collaboration, and a shared sense of identity.
The University of Washington's Spring Powwow is open to non-Native audiences, offering an inclusive space where individuals from all backgrounds can come together to learn about Indigenous culture and history. In doing so, it serves as a valuable educational platform, by creating a safe space for native and non native people to interact. The key messages of powwow revolve around the themes of community, education, and support. By attending and participating, visitors not only experience the diversity of Native cultures but also contribute to the preservation of these traditions. Additionally, the event helps raise crucial funds to support future powwows and native vendors, ensuring these important cultural gatherings continue to thrive for generations to come.
The main goal of our project is to increase the Native student population at the University of Washington. Native students make up about 0.5% of the student body at the UW. There is no denying that Indigenous people are underrepresented even at diversity-rich institutions like UW, and events like powwow help create a safer environment for these students to express themselves. Powwows serve to bring communities together, celebrate culture, and make connections. At powwow, we include many high school students as volunteers to engage them with the University and encourage them to seek higher education. This is in the interest of the recruiting and admissions teams whose jobs center around promoting the education available at the University of Washington. In addition, these 100+ volunteers are made up of Native students at UW and local community members. Each year there are over 5000 attendees, and as our powwow becomes more advertised and consistent, these numbers are expected to increase. Funding events like powwow supports UW's ongoing mission to support diversity by combating the erasure of Indigenous people and creates an inclusive environment where Native youth feel safe.
In the past, First Nations has successfully promoted the powwow through a variety of methods, including flyers, posters, email campaigns, and social media posts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These efforts have helped generate excitement and awareness for the event. This year, we will continue these strategies by designing and distributing flyers across campus and posting regularly on social media to engage both the local community and broader audiences. By leveraging these platforms, First Nations aims to further increase awareness, encourage attendance, and ensure that this important cultural event reaches as many people as possible. Last year we worked with native artist Kassie John to produce a professional powwow save the date poster as well as an Instagram post and a flyer for the University of Washington campus. We hope to use this resource again and or use students on campus to create an updated design for this years powwow. Our Art Committee and Outreach Chair scheduled meetings and helped throughout this process. Our committee is excited to once again hang posters and present our Instagram post to the community.
Student involvement
First Nations strives to create a space for students to get involved. Due to this mission, we bring in about 100 volunteers from around campus for our spring powwow. Volunteers can sign up for diverse tasks and jobs and get to work closely with other FN officers to learn about the complexities of powwow. These volunteers range from members of Greek life, first nations members, and even alumni and various other UW students. Those involved in the powwow have continued support and mentorship from various on-campus resources. These resources include the Intellectual House and the Ethnic Cultural Center. This year many members have been a part of an ongoing mentorship program with Avelaka Macarro at the Longhouse on Campus.
Powwow is an opportunity for many First Nations members to learn professional skills such as leadership, presenting, budgeting, grant writing and more. Students are encouraged to run for officer positions as well as take up committee chairs leading up to powwow. Some of these positions include, Finance chair, Art Committee Leader, Vendor Committee Leader, Outreach Chair, and many more. As a group of native students on campus, we prioritize giving ample support to all of our members. Whether it be giving opportunities to learn canoe pulling, how to speak in front of crowds or event plan and host events, powwow has many dedicated members and 10 officers who continue to put in work behind the scenes. Furthermore powwow is a space to make new connections, market and experience various different roles of leadership. Students in AIS classes, such as AIS 379 Powwow: Tradition and Innovation, typical are encouraged to participate in powwow as viewers or volunteers and have continued to help us share our culture with others.
Some of the volunteer positions we have the day of include but are not limited to:
Volunteer coordinators and committee (allocate volunteers, provide breaks, log volunteer hours) ~2 to 6 people
Concessions (prepares food), ~20 to 40 people
Vendor committee (helps with vendor load-in), ~1 to 3 people
Elders Dinner assistants (preps plates in advance) ~10 people
Runners (runs frybread from tent to concessions) ~10 people
General Assistants (fill in as needed) ~20 to 30 people
Mic Holders (Hold mics to hear drummers during performances) ~5 people
Booth Heads (helps advertise and welcome guests at the First Nations booth) ~3 people
Problem statement
Indigenous ideologies have significantly influenced the sustainability practices upheld during the FN @ UWSpring Powwow. Indigenous communities share a sacred relationship with the land, one that emphasizes respect, responsibility, and reciprocity. These values are fundamental to our worldview, and preserving the health of the environment for future generations. This deep connection to the land not only shapes the way Indigenous peoples interact with nature but also informs our approach to sustainability, fostering practices that prioritize ecological health and long-term preservation.
A key element of sustainability at the FN @ UW Spring Powwow is food sovereignty. This concept highlights the right of Indigenous communities to steward our food sources, choose what we eat, and ensure our food systems are traditional, ecologically sustainable, and spiritually empowering. Food sovereignty goes beyond simply providing food, it is also about empowering Native communities to make decisions that align with cultural values and promote public health and wellness. For the Spring Powwow, First Nations is responsible for selecting the food for all attendees. This responsibility allows us to ensure that the food served aligns with our values of sustainability, as we buy food from Native-owned companies who have ethically and traditionally harvested their food. When people eat this traditional food, it not only provides sustenance but spiritual health and healing.
In past years, we have chosen to prepare and serve our food at the powwow. This decision supports our goal of food sovereignty by reducing waste, as well as minimizing our environmental footprint. By making the food ourselves, we can choose tribal, local, eco-friendly food sources, while also utilizing compostable containers, which significantly reduce the use of single-use plastics. These choices are part of a larger effort to create community-based solutions that foster a collective attitude toward sustainability. This collaborative process encourages powwow attendees to take responsibility for the environment and recognize the interconnectedness of their actions with the land.
Indigenous teachings about environmental stewardship are not limited to food practices but extend to many aspects of daily life and ceremonial events. These teachings underscore the importance of maintaining a balance with the land, and Indigenous communities have developed detailed practices over time immemorial that ensure the sustainability of natural resources and gifts. The FN @ UW Spring Powwow serves as a vehicle for these teachings, providing a visible space for Indigenous communities to demonstrate culturally sustainable practices and address environmental issues. By highlighting our cultural teachings, we hope to inspire outside audiences to look at ecological problems through TEK, otherwise known as Traditional Educational Knowledge.
Our goal is not only to reduce the environmental impact of the event but also to educate the broader university community about the importance of viewing environmental challenges from an Indigenous perspective. In this way, the Spring Powwow becomes an opportunity for both celebration and education, showcasing the power of Indigenous wisdom and knowledge in addressing contemporary ecological issues. By incorporating sustainability practices that reflect our cultural values, we hope to lead by example and inspire others to adopt more environmentally conscious behaviors.
Problem context
UW is home to several sustainability, innovation, and community-oriented programs aimed at fostering positive social, environmental, and economic impacts. These include programs such as the UW Sustainability, the Clean Energy Institute, the Center for Communication and Civic Engagement, and student-led initiatives like the Husky Green Fund. These initiatives represent UW's diverse range of efforts in addressing challenges in sustainability, social equity, and innovation. These movements hold valuable resources, networks, and infrastructure that could support and amplify the impact of FN @ UW Spring Powwow.
First Nation's Spring Powwow aims to complement and amplify existing initiatives by enhancing collaborative efforts across students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community. For instance, while UW’s sustainability programs are focused on reducing the environmental footprint and promoting sustainable practices, First Nations Spring Powwow specifically targets education on food sovereignty in Indigenous cultures as well as promoting waste management values within our concessions by leveraging the collective expertise, resources, and community connections at UW. By working in tandem with existing sustainability and community engagement programs, this powwow will give a platform for UW's sustainability programs to shine.
To ensure that this Spring Powwow aligns with the existing UW ecosystem, it will take the form of a community-driven, collaborative initiative that encourages participation from across disciplines. For example, Spring Powwow's concessions focus on waste reduction during this event and could involve a partnership with student groups like UW Environmental Stewardship or sustainable food organizations that would allow for more rapid engagement with students and increase UW's Spring Powwow sustainability impact.
Ultimately, FN @ UW Spring Powwow complements and builds on UW’s current efforts to promote collective action for social good, environmental sustainability, and community development. It seeks to unify diverse perspectives, deepen partnerships, and create long-lasting, positive impact in a way that magnifies the work already being done within the university and beyond.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Growing Native Community | over 5000 attendees, about 40 indigenous vendors | Undergraduate, Graduate |
| Creating Volunteer Opportunities | about 100 volunteers | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
Education and outreach goals
This year, the primary focus of our advertisements is to raise awareness about the upcoming powwow and emphasize its rich cultural and historical significance. A powwow is a vibrant, community-driven event deeply rooted in the traditions of indigenous peoples of the plains regions. It provides an opportunity for people to experience an array of traditional food, music, dance, and art, all while celebrating and preserving the teachings and customs passed down through generations. This event brings together Indigenous peoples from multiple tribes across the United States, fostering unity, collaboration, and a shared sense of identity.
The University of Washington's Spring Powwow is open to non-Native audiences, offering an inclusive space where individuals from all backgrounds can come together to learn about Indigenous culture and history. In doing so, it serves as a valuable educational platform, by creating a safe space for native and non native people to interact. The key messages of powwow revolve around the themes of community, education, and support. By attending and participating, visitors not only experience the diversity of Native cultures but also contribute to the preservation of these traditions. Additionally, the event helps raise crucial funds to support future powwows and native vendors, ensuring these important cultural gatherings continue to thrive for generations to come.
The main goal of our project is to increase the Native student population at the University of Washington. Native students make up about 0.5% of the student body at the UW. There is no denying that Indigenous people are underrepresented even at diversity-rich institutions like UW, and events like powwow help create a safer environment for these students to express themselves. Powwows serve to bring communities together, celebrate culture, and make connections. At powwow, we include many high school students as volunteers to engage them with the University and encourage them to seek higher education. This is in the interest of the recruiting and admissions teams whose jobs center around promoting the education available at the University of Washington. In addition, these 100+ volunteers are made up of Native students at UW and local community members. Each year there are over 5000 attendees, and as our powwow becomes more advertised and consistent, these numbers are expected to increase. Funding events like powwow supports UW's ongoing mission to support diversity by combating the erasure of Indigenous people and creates an inclusive environment where Native youth feel safe.
In the past, First Nations has successfully promoted the powwow through a variety of methods, including flyers, posters, email campaigns, and social media posts on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These efforts have helped generate excitement and awareness for the event. This year, we will continue these strategies by designing and distributing flyers across campus and posting regularly on social media to engage both the local community and broader audiences. By leveraging these platforms, First Nations aims to further increase awareness, encourage attendance, and ensure that this important cultural event reaches as many people as possible. Last year we worked with native artist Kassie John to produce a professional powwow save the date poster as well as an Instagram post and a flyer for the University of Washington campus. We hope to use this resource again and or use students on campus to create an updated design for this years powwow. Our Art Committee and Outreach Chair scheduled meetings and helped throughout this process. Our committee is excited to once again hang posters and present our Instagram post to the community.
Student involvement
First Nations strives to create a space for students to get involved. Due to this mission, we bring in about 100 volunteers from around campus for our spring powwow. Volunteers can sign up for diverse tasks and jobs and get to work closely with other FN officers to learn about the complexities of powwow. These volunteers range from members of Greek life, first nations members, and even alumni and various other UW students. Those involved in the powwow have continued support and mentorship from various on-campus resources. These resources include the Intellectual House and the Ethnic Cultural Center. This year many members have been a part of an ongoing mentorship program with Avelaka Macarro at the Longhouse on Campus.
Powwow is an opportunity for many First Nations members to learn professional skills such as leadership, presenting, budgeting, grant writing and more. Students are encouraged to run for officer positions as well as take up committee chairs leading up to powwow. Some of these positions include, Finance chair, Art Committee Leader, Vendor Committee Leader, Outreach Chair, and many more. As a group of native students on campus, we prioritize giving ample support to all of our members. Whether it be giving opportunities to learn canoe pulling, how to speak in front of crowds or event plan and host events, powwow has many dedicated members and 10 officers who continue to put in work behind the scenes. Furthermore powwow is a space to make new connections, market and experience various different roles of leadership. Students in AIS classes, such as AIS 379 Powwow: Tradition and Innovation, typical are encouraged to participate in powwow as viewers or volunteers and have continued to help us share our culture with others.
Some of the volunteer positions we have the day of include but are not limited to:
Volunteer coordinators and committee (allocate volunteers, provide breaks, log volunteer hours) ~2 to 6 people
Concessions (prepares food), ~20 to 40 people
Vendor committee (helps with vendor load-in), ~1 to 3 people
Elders Dinner assistants (preps plates in advance) ~10 people
Runners (runs frybread from tent to concessions) ~10 people
General Assistants (fill in as needed) ~20 to 30 people
Mic Holders (Hold mics to hear drummers during performances) ~5 people
Booth Heads (helps advertise and welcome guests at the First Nations booth) ~3 people