Southern Oregon University Celebrated 31st Annual Native American Powwow
Community members from a variety of backgrounds gathered last month for the 31st annual Southern Oregon University Powwow in Ashland.
The SOU Powwow is widely regarded as the largest student-led event on campus.
The event -- hosted by the school's Native American Student Union (NASU) -- drew in thousands of visitors to Lithia Motors Pavilion in its second year back on campus after a COVID-19-related hiatus.
This year, NASU welcomed more than 10 tribal royalty participants, the largest number of royalty ever in attendance. To become tribal royalty, an individuals is judged at a powwow on aspects like performance, participation and public speaking skills.
Once a royalty participant is crowned, they are expected to represent their tribe or tribes by attending public events and stepping into the role of cultural ambassador.
Posted on 5/4/24 6:21AM by Sam Marsh
