On Feb. 2, 1994, Natives at Penn — known then as Six Directions — was recognized as an official member of the United Minorities Council. 30 years later, Natives at Penn and the Greenfield Intercultural Center (GIC) celebrated their respective 30th and 40th anniversary at Penn's 13th annual Powwow in the Hall of Flags. The powwow was open to the public and featured singing, intertribal dancing, and Indigenous vendors.
Attendees at the Natives at Penn Powwow paired up to participate in a mosquito dance.
The Red Blanket Singers of the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape nation were the Host Drum for the powwow.
Keturah Peters, 2018 Nursing graduate and the Head Woman Dancer, presented a handmade drum to Natives at Penn.
Head Man Dancer Brian Weeden leads an intertribal dance. Lenape social dances are typically performed counter-clockwise, and Lenape instruments are usually small enough to be held in the hand and shaken or beaten upon.
Three dancers participated in the Women’s Fancy Shawl, a butterfly-like dance that highlights the dancers’ shawls and footwork.
College seniors Aneeyá Lowe (center), Tristan Fajardo, and Aubrey Welch were presented with blankets to celebrate their work and dedication to Natives at Penn.
Ann Dapice, founder of Penn's Association of Native Alumni, recognized the work of Native students at Penn in honoring and increasing awareness of Indigenous cultures and contemporary issues through events like the annual powwow, Indigenous Peoples' Day March, Native Heritage Month celebrations, and Earth Month collaborations.
