The University of Southern Mississippi will host its annual Southern Miss Powwow on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Spirit Park. Organized by the Center for American Indian Research and Studies (CAIRS) and the Golden Eagle Intertribal Society, the event aims to educate the community about Native American culture, maintain traditional practices, and celebrate tribal languages.
The event will feature a variety of activities, including social and traditional powwow dancing, cultural presentations, and a stickball tournament. Attendees can also enjoy Indian arts, crafts, and food. The powwow is an annual celebration anticipated by Native American faculty, staff, students, and the broader community.
“A powwow is a festival where Native Americans and others gather and celebrate Native heritages,” said Dr. Tammy Greer, a professor of psychology at USM and the advisor and director of the Golden Eagle Intertribal Society. “We will Gourd Dance at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The Gourd Dance is a warrior’s dance, usually military folks or first responders, and the Gourd Dancers honor one another and other warriors.”
Greer explained that the Gourd Dance is a healing dance for those who have endured challenges, particularly mental health struggles or the loss of life in the line of duty.
“The Gourd Dancers dance for them as well,” she added.
The event will also include a “Grand Entry” when all dancers enter the circle and process around it, showcasing their handmade regalia.
“You get to see handmade items of clothing and things being carried that are meaningful to the dancers,” Greer said.
The Southern Miss Powwow was first organized in 2004 by Joe Bohanon, a graduate student in educational leadership.
“Joe was an Oklahoma Choctaw, and he started the powwow as a way to recruit students to Southern Miss and to celebrate Native cultures,” Greer recalled.
Greer emphasized the importance of the event for Native communities.
“We are giving Natives a space here at Southern Miss, inviting them in and celebrating their heritages,” she said. “Events like this gather the small population of Natives in one place where non-Natives can learn about and celebrate Native cultures.”
Greer stressed the importance of people attending events like powwows.
“People should attend because powwows are beautiful and fun,” she said, noting the competitions, food, crafts, and art featured at the event. “Beyond that, this is a way to support the Indigenous peoples of this place.”
Greer also highlighted the significance of the powwow for Native students, many of whom are Mississippi Choctaws.
“Although powwows did not originate with Choctaws, Southeastern Natives have embraced the fun, social, and competitive atmosphere of powwows,” she said. “My hope is that folks will realize that Native Americans are still here. Our cultures, stories, songs, dances, belief systems, and values are still around, and we want to share all that with people who don’t know about Southeastern Natives. I want folks to support our Native students and show them that they are welcomed here.”
