Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Woodlands and High Plains Powwow

Culture | March 31st, 2017

Photo by Dreamcatcher Photography by Amber Mattson

Starting a new month is exciting and we’re also getting closer to spring. To make it a great start with a meaningful moment in 2017, Woodlands and High Plains Powwow (WHPP) will be held on April 1.

WHPP selected this year’s theme as “Mni Wiconi (Water is Life): Standing Together.” This theme, the Lakota phrase Mni Wiconi, is chosen by students to show their support and unity for the water protectors who aim to preserve and protect the waters that give life to all of us.

The WHPP is an annual event that celebrates and renews friendships. It also celebrates the educational experiences of American Indian students in higher education and the sharing of tribal cultures in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

WHPP has been around for 28 years and it has changed with new dance specials, a silent auction, and a hand-game Competition. WHPP will have a variety of styles of dance and drum songs from the area tribes. There will also be entertainment to enjoy the overall cultural experience, dance specials, hand-game competition, Fry Bread Taco Concessions, silent auction, a community meal, and vendors selling their arts and crafts.

The dance special includes a Women’s 55+ Old Style Jingle Dance, a Warhoop, and the Potato Dance competition where two dancers follow commands with a potato between their foreheads.

This year, MSUM American Indian Student Association (AISA) is hosting the 3rd annual hand-games as an inter-tribal style tournament. The hand-game is a Native American guessing game and it is played by two teams with sticks and bones. The game rules are simple. Using hand signals, each team will take turns to hide the bones and the other team will guess who has them.

“The annual Woodlands and High Plains Powwow celebrates the educational experiences of American Indian students from each of the four sponsoring colleges: MSUM, NDSU, MState, and Concordia; and brings together students, staff and faculty, and the community to celebrate and share the culture,” the WHPP interviewee said. “The powwow continues the rich cultural tradition and gives spectators the opportunity to learn about the Native American culture through traditional dances and drum performance.” The WHPP interviewee goes on to say, “Spectators attending the powwow will be immersed in the rich Native American culture through dance and music. Everyone is considered a participant even if all you do is lend your presence.”

Before you attend this meaningful and rich cultural event, there are several etiquette rules that you should know. First, everyone can take part and you do not need to be in regalia; you can dance in your own clothes.

Secondly, listen carefully to the announcer. Announcers will request silence, ask people to stand and remove hats, and to not take pictures at certain times during the event. You should also not photograph participants close up without asking permission. Introduce yourself first and get to know the person and listen to the announcer for the appropriate time to take pictures. Remember, it is impolite behavior to bother the performers while they are singing and dancing.

Thirdly, do not touch a dancer’s regalia or pick up feathers that have fallen off of it. Feathers need to be returned promptly to their owner.

Finally, everyone should stand and remove caps or hats during the Grand Entry, Flag Songs and Invocations.

Admission fee is free for 5 and under, $3 for youth aged 6 to 18, and $5 for adults aged 19 to 54. If you are over 55 or a student with a valid ID from one of the three universities mentioned above, the event is free. The event starts at noon and goes to 10 pm.

IF YOU GO:

28th Annual Woodlands and High Plains Powwow

Saturday, April 1, 12pm-10pm

MSUM Alex Nemzek Hall, Moorhead

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakota communities will join a “nationwide day of defiance” against authoritarianism and President Donald Trump’s policies on Saturday, June 14. A range of "No Kings" events…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

June 21, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway N., Fargo“We Watch Shudder,” Fargo’s favorite horror podcasters, bring on the darkness during the longest day of the year. The Darkest Day of Horror Film Festival features…

Fighting the good fightBy Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Over two thousand rallies took place nationwide June 14 as part of the “No Kings" protest. Ten of those protests were held in North Dakota, with thousands in attendance.…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA syndrome is defined as a group of signs and symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition and any complex of symptoms of an…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com The weather warmed up quickly here in the upper Midwest this spring, sparking prime eating season. This means burger battles, food trucks and lake-season food travel. The 2025 Downtown Fargo Burger…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com As we continue to deal with the ongoing horrorshow of racism, misogyny and transphobia embraced by the current administration, films like “Sally” can serve as an important reminder that…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

North Dakota play about mental health launches Midwest tour in AugustBy Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.com A new one-act play inspired by patients buried in the Old Cemetery at the Jamestown State Hospital will tour festivals in…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…