Photos by Tim H. Murphy Photography
The Pow Wow at ASU
April 21-23, 2023
The contemporary Pow Wow is a link to the past that helps maintain Native Heritage. Seen by outsiders as entertainment due to the singing, dancing, and colorful regalia, the Pow Wow is a spiritual legacy which should be treated with respect and honor. It is a time for Indian families to be together with other family members and friends. It is a time of sharing, of laughter and tears, of learning, and of caring. It is a time when Indians reflect on their traditions. It is a time to honor the past and celebrate the future.
Indian families travel hundreds of miles to attend Pow Wows across the continent. Time and distance are not relevant. The renewal of traditions and reinforcement of the heritage is the important thing. It is a time to strengthen the circle.
The word "Pow Wow" comes from the Algonquin word "Pau Wau" which was used to describe medicine men and spiritual leaders. Early Europeans thought that the word referred to the entire event. As Indian tribes learned English, they accepted this definition.