The third annual #BraveNation Powwow and Gathering (BNPG) will be held Saturday, March 23 in the gym of the English E. Jones Athletic Center at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Grand entry is at noon. Doors open to the public at 10 a.m.

Everyone is invited to join the #BraveNation as we celebrate the rich history and culture of America’s Indigenous peoples. The powwow and gathering features competition dancing, vendors, and recruitment activities for American Indian high school students. This is an alcohol and drug-free event.

An alumni reception will be held from 3 to 4 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for elders (60+), and free for children (6 and under) and UNCP students with a UNCP ID.

Dancer registration is $5 per contest, while drummer registration is $5 per person. Art vendor registration is $50 while food vendor registration is $100. The vendor registration form is available at www.uncp.edu/powwow. Bag chairs are not allowed inside the gymnasium.

A commemorative T-shirt is available for purchase. Adult sizes are $15 and youth are $10. The shirt features an ivory-billed woodpecker motif that was first used 500 to 800 years ago by Mississippian peoples, also known as mound builders, who lived throughout the southeastern United States. The motif reflects the relationship of humans to the animal and spirit world. Considered a powerful animal, like the falcon, turkey, and rattlesnake, the woodpecker represents cosmological powers from the upper and lower worlds. These qualities were esteemed and sought by priests and warriors.

The dance categories and prize amounts are:

• Drum Contest: 1st: $500, 2nd: $350, and 3rd: $200
• Adult (18+): 1st: $150, 2nd: $100, and 3rd: $75 (men’s northern and southern traditional, women’s northern and southern traditional, men’s fancy, women’s fancy, men’s grass, and women’s jingle).
• Teen (13-17): 1st: $100, 2nd: $75, and 3rd: $50 (men’s northern and southern traditional, women’s northern and southern traditional, men’s fancy, women’s fancy, men’s grass, and women’s jingle).
• Junior (6-12): 1st: $75, 2nd: $50, and 3rd: $25 (boy’s traditional, girl’s traditional, boy’s fancy, girl’s fancy, boy’s grass, and girl’s jingle).
• Tiny Tot (5 and under): $5 each
• Special:
  • Side step for Missing, Murdered, and Indigenous Women (MMIW): 1st: $125, 2nd: painting, and 3rd: ear rings and blanket
  • Sweetheart Special: 1st: prize, 2nd: prize, and 3rd: prize

Head staff are:

• MC: Kay Richardson Oxendine
• Arena Director: Terry White
• Host Drums: War Paint
• Head Dancers: Male - Ethan Oxendine and Female - Sarah Freeman
• Head Judges: Drum - Chris Conner `05, `07, Dance - Christopher Richardson `03, and Tabulator - Becky Goins `96, `14

For a complete list of sponsors or more information, please visit www.uncp.edu/powwow or contact us via email powwow@uncp.edu, or call 910.775.4579.