More Than 100 Celebrate Indigenous Culture at 26th Annual Powwow

More than 100 Harvard affiliates and local residents gathered at Harvard’s McCurdy Outdoor Track for the 26th annual Harvard Powwow on Saturday.

The event — hosted by the Harvard University Native American Program and planned by a committee of Indigenous students at the College and several graduate schools — celebrated Indigenous culture through food, music, art, and dance.

This year’s Powwow comes after the proportion of Indigenous students in the Harvard Class of 2028 halved from the previous year, falling from 2 percent to 1 percent in the first admissions cycle after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action.

Indigenous student Samantha M. Wilhoit ’25 said that since she isn’t able to attend the Powwow back home, she’s happy to have an opportunity to “be part of the community and feel that energy.”

The event began at 1 p.m. on the track as performers danced under a pavilion, encircled by local craftsmen tables, HUDS-catered trucks, and tables run by vendors, Harvard faculty, and Indigenous-centered programs.

Hailey-Jade Araujo, an Objiwe artist from the Boston area, said the event was an opportunity to share her craftsmanship in its original form.

Araujo said as she worked on her artwork throughout college, professors had encouraged her to stray away from creating traditional pieces, instead “incorporating beadwork into the background.”

“I never wanted to make it something it’s not,” she said.

Aaliyah N. Decker ’26, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, who danced during the event, said her performance nerves were soothed by the supportive crowd.

“I think the music style changed, and so I was nervous about messing up coming here. But then I think over time, I met the people here, and they’re really amazing and accommodating,” Decker said.

Some attendees praised the larger turnout compared to previous years.

“I think we’re making tons of progress. I think that the theme this year was really interactive,” Wilhoit said.

“I’ve worked on other Powwows, it’s a hard process,” Araujo said. “It’s hard to get people out there, especially after Covid and everything.”

Sarita Plata ’27, who attended the Powwow, said she enjoyed seeing the traditional products that different merchants and vendors had to offer.

“There’s so many beautiful pieces of artwork, all really handmade, and I think that’s so rare to find,” Plata said.

Maria Aranibar, a Quechan attendee and program coordinator at the MIT Office of Minority Education, attended the Powwow to sell her handmade traditional jewelry and share her culture.

“I met some of my closest friends at the Harvard Powwow last year, and I’m still friends with them now,” Aranibar said. “So, I wanted to come back to share my art and part of my culture and my people.”

Carina Sandoval, a fellow at the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship, said the annual event is important not only to Harvard affiliates, but to the broader Indigenous community.

“The Powwow is something that isn’t just reserved for Harvard undergraduate students — people have come from all across the East Coast to be here,” Sandoval said.

“When Harvard hosts these kinds of events that are open to the public, I think it’s really important just to think about the ways in which we can also give back to the community, ” Sandoval added.

Araugo pointed to the Powwow’s role in offering a space for Indigenous people to gather and celebrate.

“I was literally in tears earlier, seeing these little kids run around and get to dance and experience this,” Araugo said.

Correction: October 15, 2024

A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Decker’s tribal affiliation. In fact, it is the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

—Staff writer Katie B. Tian can be reached at katie.tian@thecrimson.com.

—Staff writer Samantha D. Wu can be reached at samantha.wu@thecrimson.com.