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5th Annual NAISA Traditional Spring Pow Wow

2026 5th Annual NAISA Traditional Spring Pow Wow

What is a Pow Wow?

A Pow Wow is a family-friendly, intergenerational cultural celebration held by many Native and Indigenous communities.

This event is open to all and is a space for Native and non-Native people to gather together to dance, eat, socialize, share art, be in community, and much more.  

Pow Wow Etiquette

  • Be respectful of participants and dancers. Dance regalia are not costumes and permission should be asked before taking pictures of a dancer. 
  • The emcee will explain and introduce the different events and dances throughout the Pow Wow. Always stand during honor songs, including grand entry, flag songs, veterans’ songs, and other songs as designated by the emcee. Hats should also be removed.  
  • Do not enter the dance arena without permission. The arena will be open to general attendees during the following dances: Intertribal, potato dance, two-step, snake dance, round dance, blanket dance, and honor songs after those being honored have gone around the circle one time. The emcee will explain and introduce the different events and dances throughout the Pow Wow and will invite general attendees out to these different dances. 
  • If a drum group is singing or about to sing, do not interrupt them. Permission should be asked prior to recording.  
  • Chairs closest to the dancing arena are reserved for dancers, singers, and elders. 

Who is NAISA?

The Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance (NAISA) is a student organization on Âé¶¹´«Ã½’s campus for Native American and Indigenous students and allies aiming to build a strong community. We also seek to increase visibility and awareness of our distinct cultures and the different experiences and challenges our communities face. We host weekly gatherings at which we get to know each other, share food, plan upcoming events and actions, and talk about what’s going on in our lives. All are welcome to join us. 

Head Staff/Invited Guests

  • Emcee: Shannon Martin  |  Citizen of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Potawatomi Indians - Gun Lake Tribe
  • Arena Director: Ronald Goodeagle | Sac & Fox Nation
  • Head Dancer:  Zoë Harris | Mashpee Wampanoag
  • Head Dancer: Lawrence Curley | Ojibwe and Navajo
  • Youth Head Dancer: Roxy Golding | Dakota and Lakota
  • Youth Head Dancer: TBD | TBD
  • Host Drum: TBD | TBD
  • Invited Drums: 
    • Zénba Odan (Ribbon Town Singers) | Dowagiac, MI
    • Iron Bear Singers | Chicago, Illinois
    • Indian Community School Eagle Singers | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Invited Guests:
    • Indian Community School Teyukhilihwakhwá·seh̲e̲ɂ̲ Singers | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    • Mariachi Âé¶¹´«Ã½
    • Ritmo de Mis Ancestros: Ballet Folklórico Âé¶¹´«Ã½
    • Frybread & Food by Native American Foods

Location & Parking

Welsh-Ryan Arena 
Address: 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL, 60208

Free Parking is available at the Welsh-Ryan Arena!

pow wow map

Code of Conduct

  • This Pow Wow is a welcoming, inclusive, supportive and safe environment for all members of the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ community and beyond, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression/identity. 
  • In light of the purpose of a pow wow and alignment of NAISA values, please see Âé¶¹´«Ã½'s statement on non-discrimination.
  • We also prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs at this event.
  • If you do not follow these expectations, you will be asked to leave.

Call for Vendors

Thank you for your interest in being a vendor at the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance's 4th Annual Spring Pow Wow at Âé¶¹´«Ã½! Please apply at this 

This year's Pow Wow will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Welsh-Ryan Arena (2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston, IL).  Doors will open at 11 a.m. with Grand Entry at noon.  The Pow Wow will conclude at 5 p.m. 

We will let you know if you've been accepted as a vendor on a rolling basis. Booth spaces are free of cost.

Due to limited space, we may not be able to accept all vendors that apply. However, we will keep a waitlist if needed. 
We can provide one folding table and one chair per vendor booth. If you are accepted as a vendor, we will send out more information on the number of tables and chairs you may bring for your booth. 

The deadline to submit an application is March 27, 2026. 

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to the pow wow planning committee at naisapowwow@gmail.com.

Vendors must comply with US Federal Public Law 101-64, known as the “Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990".

 

Call for Volunteers

Shifts run from 9am to 6pm
All volunteers with receive a meal ticket and a 2026 Pow Wow T-Shirt!
Sign up by April 11th at bit.ly/2026POWWOW

For questions, email naisapowwow@gmail.com

THANK YOU!naisa call for volunteers

Thank you to our sponsors!

  • American Indian Health Service of Chicago
  • Associated Student Government
  • School of Communication
  • The Graduate School
  • Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities
  • Department of American Studies
  • Department of Anthropology
  • Department of Art, Theory, and Practice
  • Department of Black Studies
  • Department of History
  • Asian American Studies Program
  • Women's Center
  • Garret Theological Seminary
  • Center for Native American and Indigenous Research
  • Native American & Indigenous Affairs
  • Multicultural Student Affairs
  • School of Education and Social Policy