KU Powwow and Indigenous Cultures Festival

We invite you to join us at the University of Kansas for a day of enriching our local community through Native American traditions and cultural heritage!

Schedule:

9:00 am - Tipi Raising

Outdoor Activity Station

Observe the raising of the KU tipi on the lawn of the Lied Center of Kansas.

10:00 am - Presentation: Powwow 101

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: Jancita Warrington (Menominee/ Potawatomi)

Listen and learn both the historical and contemporary history of the powwow and dances you will see at the event. You will hear an overview and explanation of the event head staff and their positions, songs, Tribal dances, and the purpose of the KU powwow. A short question and answer session will be held at the end of the presentation.

A short question and answer session will be held at the end of the presentation.

12:00 pm - Grand Entry #1

Powwow Arena

This is the first entry for all the powwow participants entering the powwow arena. Everyone in the audience is asked to stand as the color guard brings in the flags.

Once everyone is in the arena, and while everyone continues standing, the flags are raised as singers sing the flag song and honor song. This opens the powwow and the dancing begins.

12:00 pm - Activity: Indigenous Children's Language & Literacy

Outdoor Activity Station

Indigenous children's language & literacy activities, including children’s books written by Native authors, coloring pages, and sidewalk chalk. Hosted by KU Dr. Gillispie and the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorder.

1:00 pm-5:30 pm - Activity: Inflatable Cherokee Basket Weaving

Outdoor Activity Station

Cherokee basket weaver, Lisa LaRue-Baker, will bring an oversized, inflatable basket structure and allow community members including families with children an opportunity to learn the basics of basket weaving with this hands-on activity.

1:00 pm - Presentation: Kaw Nation Rematriation

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: James Pepper Henry (Kaw)

Description - Listen and learn about the Kaw Nation’s rematriation efforts including In’zhúje’waxóbe (the Sacred Red Rock) from Kaw citizen, James Pepper Henry. Pepper Henry previously served as vice-chair of Kaw Nation (2020-2024), tribal historic preservation officer, and the director of multiple museums including the Kanza Museum, National Museum of the American Indian, Anchorage Museum, Heard Museum, Gilcrease Museum, and First Americans Museum.

1:30 pm-3:30 pm - Workshop: Pine Needle Basket Weaving

Lied Center Seymour Gallery

Featuring Amy June Breesman (Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma)

Participate in an introductory-level pine needle basket making workshop, supplies provided. There will also be a tutorial and time to start your own basket-making project.

The participant age requirement is 12 years +. Other ages are welcome to watch and learn from the artist.

Due to limited space, limited to two attendees per registration. Limit 15 participants. Sign Up Here

3:30 pm-5:30 pm - Workshop: Cherokee Basket Weaving

Lied Center Conference Room

Featuring Lisa LaRue-Baker (Cherokee Nation)

Participate in an introductory-level basket weaving workshop with Cherokee artist, Lisa LaRue-Baker. There will be a tutorial and time to begin your own basket weaving projects. All supplies provided.

The participant age requirement is 16+ years.

Due to the level of one-on-one attention needed, this workshop is limited to 8 participants and two attendees per registration. Sign Up Here

12:00 pm-5:30 pm - Research: Haskell and KU Student Scholarship Showcase

Lied Center Stage

Posters, artwork, and other scholarly projects by Haskell and KU student researchers, creatives, and student organizations will be on view on the Lied Center Stage throughout the day. Students will be present from 2:00 – 3:30PM to talk about their work.

Apply HERE

2:30 pm - Panel: Ledger Art

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenters: Chris Pappan & IAI workshop participants

Join artist Chris Pappan (Kanza, Lakota, Osage) and participants in his Indigenous Arts initiative Low Brow and Ledger Art workshop as they share the artwork they created and things they learned during the two-day workshop in November.  

4:00 pm - Panel: Short Documentary Storytelling

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenters: Kyle Bell & IAI workshop participants

Join filmmaker Kyle Bell (Thlopthlocco Creek Tribal Town) and participants in his Indigenous Arts Initiative Short Documentary Storytelling workshop as they screen the short films they created and talk about their experiences.

6:00 pm - Grand Entry #2

Powwow Arena

This is the second entry after supper break to open the second session of the powwow.