The 53rd annual Powwow is coming up Saturday, May 10, cochaired by Sydney Hoose ’25 and Brooke Moore ’26. The first Dartmouth Powwow took place in 1972 after President John Kemeny recommitted the College to its founding promise to educate Native youth. Since then, Dartmouth has graduated more than 1,400 Indigenous students, according to Adria Brown ’15, director of the College’s Native American program since July 2023.

The 200 Indigenous undergrads currently enrolled represent 75 communities in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and the Pacific Islands. In its early years Powwow was held at various locations. When the Native Americans of Dartmouth asked to hold it on the Green in 1995, the College initially refused, citing concerns about the Green’s condition for upcoming Commencement speaker President Bill Clinton. After 700 people signed a petition in support of locating the event there, the College agreed.

Powwow now attracts about 1,500 people each year and is the second largest powwow in the Northeast. This year’s event will include a crafting circle, dancers, and three drum groups—Black Lodge from Washington, Bear Creek from Minnesota, and Southern Thunder from Oklahoma. The following day the College’s Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander student group will present its annual lū‘au at noon on Baker Lawn, cochaired by Nohi Perry ’25 and Chase Kamikawa ’26.