ANNUAL POWWOW SET APRIL 15-16 ON USAO OVAL

 One of the biggest powwows ever planned in Chickasha is scheduled April 15-16 on the oval at the University of Science and Arts.  Students in the Inter-Tribal Heritage Council (ITHC) are planning the event, which is non-exclusive and open to all members of the community.

Special guest dancers from across Oklahoma will be featured.  The two-day event kicks off on Friday with a Stomp Dance at 7 p.m. on the campus oval.  Saturday’s events include a Gourd Dance at 2 p.m. and a free Indian taco dinner for all guests at 5:30 p.m.  The Grand Entry is scheduled at 7 p.m.

More than $1,000 will be awarded in prizes.

ITHC sponsors this event each year in the spring at USAO.  This year, the USAO Student Activities Board provided extra support.

“It should be a great powwow,” said Jay Goombi, director of Howard Meredith Humanities Center at USAO. “There also is a contest powwow scheduled for Saturday evening.”

The Caddo Traditional Dance team will open the ceremonial dance.

Emcee at the Friday evening event is B.J. Johnson.  The Sonny Gouge family will host the Stomp Dance.

The USAO Senior Princess is Jerrolyn Doyebi of Anadarko.  The junior princess is Mia Fisher.  Emcee for Saturday’s event is Edmond Tate Nevaquaya of Apache.  Head singer is Anthony Monoessey of Lawton.  Head man dancer is Jason Lightfoot of Apache. 

Head lady dancer is Andrea Kihega, who was named Junior Ms. Indian of Oklahoma.

Arena director is Cletus Gayton of Carnegie.  Co-hosting this event is the Hasinai Society of the Caddo Nation and the Kiti Kiti’sh Little Sisters.

More information is available from Norman Clark or Richard Hunter in the USAO Native American Resources Office, 405-574-1317.

Vendors are welcome with no fee, but a raffle donation is appreciated.  All drums and all area princesses are welcome.