Pášx̣apa Powwow
Whitman College is excited to announce the inaugural Pášx̣apa Powwow, taking place on campus Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. This event will bring together tribal leaders, honored guests, drummers and dancers from throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Walla Walla Community College are co-hosts.
Schedule of Events
Pre-Powwow Presentations
Monday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. in Olin Hall
Jeanine Gordon will give a presentation on the basics of powwow etiquette.
Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. in Olin Hall
Althea Huesties-Wolf will give a presentation about why dancing is a part of powwow tradition.
Friday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. in Olin Hall
Fred Hill will give a presentation on Powwow 101, including a demonstration of drumming, singing and dancing.
Pášx̣apa Powwow
Saturday, Nov. 18
- 11 a.m. Participant Registration
- 12 p.m. Doors Open
- 1 p.m. Grand Entry
- 5 p.m. Break and Meal
- 6 p.m. Grand Entry
Vendor Information
A limited number of vendor spaces will be available for people wishing to sell artwork, crafts or other non-food items. All vendors shall comply with: The Indian Arts and Craft Act (IACA), 25 U.S.C. § 305-305(e), a truth-in advertising law designed to prevent the sale of goods that are falsely represented to have been made by Indians or sold in a way that conveys the impression that they were made by Indians.
To request vendor space, please complete the Vendor Application. Please send any questions to River Freemont.
Location
Sherwood Athletic Center, 47 S Park St, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Why “Pášx̣apa”?
Pášx̣apa, meaning Place of the Wild Sunflowers, is the Cayuse name for the Walla Walla Valley. By giving this name to our powwow, we honor the original inhabitants of this area at the same time that we welcome their descendants to return and hold this sacred event on Whitman’s campus.
The pášx̣a plant is known in English as Arrowleaf Balsam Root.