The Southern Miss Powwow was recently held at Spirit Park on The University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg campus. The annual celebration of the culture and traditions of Native people was free and open to the public.
Presented in partnership with the USM Golden Eagle Intertribal Society, the Powwow schedule included gourd dancing, a grandy entry, and a closing song.
Dr. Tammy Greer, an associate professor of psychology at USM, serves as an advisor to the Golden Eagle Intertribal Society and helped orchestrate the celebration. She spoke on the significance of the event.
“In addition to being a space to gather socially as Natives and bring their unique cultures, art forms, crafts, and food to everyone, the Powwow supplies an opportunity for Native students to practice being what they will eventually become – leaders, culture bearers, and role models in Indian Country,” Greer said.
The Southern Miss Powwow is an annual event that has been hosted at USM for roughly 17 years. It is a family-friendly celebration designed to attract Natives from across the Southeast to powwow dance, share their cultures and reunite with old friends. Also, the powwow is an opportunity for others to see and share in Native culture.
Participants engaged in a lively potato dance and inter tribal dances, relishing the vibrant performances of Powwow dancers, music, and art. The event also offered a delightful array of local vendor food. Additionally, ham radio operators from the Pine Belt Amateur Radio Club showcased their skills by broadcasting messages from the Powwow to a global audience.
“Their call sign is “W0W,” and this year they are focused on educating folks around the world about our Palmetto Huts,” Dr. Greer said. “If you have youth who want to experience what it is to be a ham radio operator and interact with the equipment, bring them to the powwow.”
The Powwow is not only a ceremony and social gathering for reconnection but also for spiritual healing. The Southern Miss Powwow is put on by the Center for American Indian Research and Studies and the Golden Eagles Intertribal Society, a Native-focused student group. They reached out to businesses to sponsor dance competitions. And this year, funds were raised to support head staff, which included the head man, head lady, emcee, arena director, head gourd, and drum.
Lanena John, a tribal member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and community liaison for GEIS, emphasized that the Powwow serves as more than just a ceremony and social gathering for reconnection—it is also a profound occasion for spiritual healing.
“The Powwow dances are the medicine that heals and uplifts the spirit within us,” John said. “From the drum beat to the intricate footwork, there is a connection between the dancer and drummer to the Creator.”
The Center for American Indian Research and Studies helps partnerships between the faculty of Southern Miss and regional tribal governments to better serve the needs of the American Indian people in our area.
To learn more, email the Center for American Indian Research and Studies at [email protected], contact them at 601.266.4317, or visit them at 110 Elizabeth Harkins Hall on the Hattiesburg campus.