University, town sponsor 50 dancers in Native powwow

By Michele Johnson
Assistant Photo Editor

Photo by Michele Johnson Heather Jones, left, Detrick Richardson, Josh Richardardson, Tequorra Green, and Head Dancers Qua Lynch and Patrick Richardson participate in the third annual powwow held at the Indian Education Resource Center. The event featured a record number of 50 dancers and gave recognition to participants in various categories including Teen Women’s Fancy, Teen Men’s Fancy, Teen Women’s Traditional, Women’s Fancy, Men’s Fancy, Women’s Jingle, Men’s Grass, Women’s Traditional and Men’s Traditional.

On April 12, the Indian Education Resource Center hosted a record number of dancers at the third annual powwow.

More than 50 dancers participated in the event, which was scheduled to be held on the UNCP Quad but was moved due to rain.

The powwow was organized and sponsored under seven Native-based student organizations: Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, Epsilon Chi Nu Fraternity, the Hok-Nasi Council, the Native American Student Organization, Phi Sigma Nu Fraternity and Sigma Omicron Epsilon Sorority. The co-sponsors were the Native American Resource Center, UNCP’s Student Government Association, the Native Angels, Pembroke Pointe Apartments, The Lumbee Tribe of N.C. and the Maryland Commission of Indian Affairs.

Powwows can have a very emotional impact on people, and for Tiffany Taylor it was her first.

“When I walked in and saw the colorful outfits, it almost brought tears to my eyes,” Taylor said.

“I felt that the powwow went well and hopefully, we can keep it up and continue to have it every year,” said Alpha Pi Omega member Alex White.

“I think it is not only important to Native Americans but everyone else because it offers an opportunity to learn about the culture,” White said.

Photos by Michele Johnson Lumbee Clarence “Bo” Goins, above, and Lumbee Shannon Godaire, below, are two of the dancers that participated in the powwow.

The powwow held several dance contests. The winners in each category were:

Teen Women’s Fancy:
• 1st - Shannon Godaire
• 2nd - Kasey Oxendine

Teen Men’s Fancy
• 1st - Devin West
• 2nd - Andrew Blake

Teen Women’s Traditional
• 1st - Tequorra Green
• 2nd - Shelly McGirt

Teen Men’s Traditional
• 1st - Sean Jones
• 2nd - Patrick Green
• 3rd - Blake Brewer

Women’s Fancy
• 1st - Jessica Moore
• 2nd - Patricia Richardson
• 3rd - Taila Blake

Men’s Fancy
• 1st - David Clements
• 2nd - Kaya Clark
• 3rd - Trey Winfree

Women’s Jingle
• 1st - Katrina Fisher
• 2nd - Consuela Richardson
• 3rd - MaDonna Sitting Bear

Men’s Grass
• 1st - Josh Richardson
• 2nd - Gregory Keith

Women’s Traditional
• 1st - Michelle Hammonds
• 2nd - Heather Jones
• 3rd -Vanessa Locklear

Men’s Traditional
• 1st - Clarence “Bo” Goins
• 2nd - Keith Sharphead
• 3rd - Paige Burgess