Thomas Gibson Chancellor | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Thomas Gibson Chancellor | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Marking its 50th year, the American Indians Reaching for Opportunities (AIRO) Powwow is set to be held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Saturday, May 3. The event will take place at the Skyward Fieldhouse located at 2050 Fourth Ave., Stevens Point. General admission is priced at $7, while entry for those with a UWSP student ID costs $5. Elders over 65 and children under 3 can attend for free.
The venue opens its doors at 11 a.m., and grand entries are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dancers will participate during the grand entries, adhering to established opening protocols. An invitation is extended to all attendees, including non-natives, to join the intertribal dances. A traditional feast is planned for 5 p.m.
This year's powwow will include alumni of the AIRO student organization from the past 50 years. The event will feature speakers sharing insights that demonstrate the enduring legacy of the student-led tradition at UW-Stevens Point. Head dancers have planned giveaways to honor others, and the outgoing AIRO Princess and Brave will host specials focusing on generosity and gratitude.
Attendees will have the opportunity to experience various dance styles. The student-led powwow committee, with support from the UW-Stevens Point Native American Center, will organize exhibition specials such as “Bells and Boots (if you got them),” the Swan Dance, Two-Step, Snake Dance, among others. Drumming groups from various Nations will participate, and celebrations will include the presence of the Menominee Nation Color Guard.
Several vendors will be present, offering Indigenous arts, crafts, and foods like Native frybread. The event is family-friendly, with activities and games available for children, organized by volunteers from the campus.
Native American Center Coordinator Rachel Davis commented, “We are honored to celebrate this incredible milestone with our community. It means a great deal to us that for 50 years, Indigenous students at UWSP have organized and hosted this powwow, often while navigating new environments, being far from home and facing significant challenges. The resilience of our people is visible in this gathering, which continues to stand strong – just like us.”
For further information about AIRO and the Native American Center at UW-Stevens Point, details can be found at www.uwsp.edu/diversity-and-college-access/native-american-center/.
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