55th annual Stanford Powwow unites Bay Area Native community

For many, the second weekend of May is associated with Mother’s Day brunches and festivities. For the past 55 years, however, that weekend has brought another celebration to campus: the Stanford Powwow, a multi-day celebration of Native American culture featuring traditional dance and drumming competitions and a variety of vendors.

As the largest student-run powwow in the country, the event draws thousands of attendees, from Stanford students to Native community members who travel cross-country to compete in the weekend’s competitions. “The whole Native community, everyone’s family comes out for Powwow,” said Angela Williams ’27, one of the Powwow’s three co-chairs.

This year’s Powwow, held from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10, brought with it multiple rounds of dance and drumming competitions, a reception for Indigenous alumni and the opportunity for guests to camp in Stanford’s Eucalyptus grove…

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