Ann Arbor, MI (March 9, 2012) – Bunky Echo-Hawk, known for most recently designing the artwork of Nike’s N7 apparel line, will perform his live art to commence 40th anniversary celebrations at this year’s Dance for Mother Earth Powwow in Ann Arbor.
Echo-Hawk’s performance is a composed live art experience. His live art expression is a contemporary interpretation of the age-old tradition of recounting and recording the main events from the past year, painted on stretched hide it usually depicted great hunts or battles.
The performance will begin at 11:30 am during the Powwow’s drum call on Saturday. Echo-hawk will paint with inspirations from the grand entry and short stories told by elders of the community after the invocation. These stories will speak to memorable moments throughout the 40-year history of the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow. The art piece that Echo-Hawk produces will be gifted to the Native American Student Association.
Additional 40th celebrations will be conducted on Saturday evening and Sunday after each grand entry. On Saturday evening Echo-Hawk will hold a hand drum performance and on Sunday he will hold a “bling contest” to showcase the community’s best handmade regalia and beadwork.
The annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is a gathering place for thousands of people from Michigan, across the U.S., and Canada where Native American culture and traditions are celebrated.
Forty years after a small group of Native American students and community members founded the annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow in Ann Arbor. Since then it has evolved into a popular community-wide event hosted by the Native American Student Association at the University of Michigan.
Today, it is one of the largest university powwows in the nation; according to USA Today Travel, it is one of “10 great places to be wowed by American Indian culture.”
The 2012 Powwow will continue the tradition of providing a gathering place for Native Americans to celebrate and share their culture with one another, and for others who are interested in learning about our country’s strong indigenous heritage. This year’s Powwow will host 12 drums, and over 33 vendors/artists from across the nation and throughout Indian Country.
The entire community is welcome to join the dance arena and participate in the periodic All-Nations dances between competition dances. In addition, American Indian artisans will be in attendance showcasing crafts, art, and other items or information for display or for purchase in the marketplace.
Over the past year the Powwow Committee, composed mostly of Native American students and community members, have diligently worked in collaboration with the University to bring the Powwow a step closer to returning to the University of Michigan campus. This year, the Powwow will be held at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School as part of this transition.
Join us as we aim to cultivate a stronger Native community and kick off the Powwow season at the 40th Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, March 17 & 18.
Head Staff
Head Veteran: George Martin
Master of Ceremonies: Jason Whitehouse
Arena Director: Dave Shananaquet
Head Drum Judge: Harvey Dreaver
Head Male Dance Judge: Will Hedgepeth
Head Female Dance Judge: Punkin Shananaquet
Head Male Dancers: Jefferson Ballew, Michael Fish, Travis Schuyler
Head Female Dancers: Elizabeth Ballew, Beedoskah Stonefish, Shannon White
Performer (40th Anniversary Celebrations) Bunky Echo-Hawk
Drums in Attendance
Host: Medicine Tail
Co-Host: Painted Rock
Invited:
Blue Moon Rising
Crazy Spirit
Crazy Bear
Dusty Bear
Kingbird Singers
Ribbon Town
Southern Straight
Tha Tribe
Thunder Bear
War Club
Dates and Times (Doors open to public daily at 10:30 a.m.)
Saturday, March 17,
Grand Entries will be at 12pm and 7pm; Bunky Echo-Hawk to start performance at 11:30am
Sunday, March 18,
Grand Entry will be at 12pm
Location
Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, 601 W Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48103 (across the street from U-M Big House stadium)
Dancer Registration
Registration forms for dance competitions can be found on our website. Registration is provided on site, it costs $10 for entry to compete and a weekend pass.
Non-competing dancers are welcome, regular admission is required.
Tickets:
$5/youth; $7/students with ID; $10/adults; $25/family (2 adults & 3 children) Discounted group rates for 10+ persons are available for advance purchase only.
Additional information: http://www.umich.edu/~powwow/
Contests details and rules can be found on our website.
The 40th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow is hosted by the Native American Student Association at the University of Michigan.
Co-sponsors include the U-M Office of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs;, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs; Office of the Vice President for Global Communications and Strategic Initiatives; School of Information; the Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute; Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives; the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs and Trotter Multicultural Center; U-M Central Student Government; College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; National Center for Institutional Diversity; Center for Educational Outreach; Museum of Natural History; Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy; Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning; University of Michigan Detroit Center; School of Art and Design; Confucius Institute at the University of Michigan; Center for World Performance Studies; School of Natural resources; School of Social Work; Department of Afroamerican and African Studies; Institute for the Humanities; School of Kinesiology; Vice Provost for International Affairs; University of Michigan Museum of Art; Center for Research on Learning and Teaching; Stephen M. Ross School of Business; Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies; University Library (Mlibrary); Residential College Executive Committee; ECO girls; Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau; Department of English Language and Literature; School of Nursing; School of Music, Theater, and Dance; Rackham Graduate School’s Strategic Initiative Fund; Center for the Education of Women; School of Dentistry; Comprehensive Studies Program; University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum; School of Education; University of Michigan Law School; Office of New Student Programs; Native American Studies; Associate Vice President for Student Affairs; University of Michigan Medical School; American Indian Health and Family Services; Fire Keepers Casino; Pokagon Band of Potawatomi