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The University of Washington Spring Powwow has been an annual
event since 1971. In 1994 First Nations at UW was formed in
order to bring the UW Powwow back to campus after an off-campus hiatus of
a few years at Sand Point Naval Base. Through the perseverence of Jeanette Allen, the talent of
graphic artist Denise Emerson, and the support of the Office of Minority Affairs, the
powwow was held at the Hec Edmondson Pavillion, and was a success! Since
that time, First Nations @ UW members have developed a reputation on
campus among administrators, staff and faculty alike of being
responsible Native American students.
The confidence that First Nations members have earned through the
continued success of FN@UW Powwows has contributed to the Powwow's
continued presence on the UW Campus.
The University of Washington's Annual Spring Powwow is
organized wholly through the efforts of students. FN@UW is the only
Native American student group on the UW campus that is composed of
undergraduates, graduates, Native and non-Native students from many
different majors. Through the united efforts of these students who care
immensely about the presence of Native Americans at UW, the extensive work
of planning, organizing, and fund-raising for the UW Spring Powwow occurs each year.
Advisors at the Office at Minority Affairs, the faculty and staff of the American Indian Studies
Center and Burke Museum help to guide the students through the University
system. The actual initiative and carrying through comes from the students
alone. The First Nations Presidents and Vice Presidents are the voice and
heads of such an ambitious effort, while the Secretaries are the backbone of the group, keeping
track of the many many tasks that need to be performed, and notifying the community of the
powwow's progress, meetings and events.
Besides planning, organizing and sponsoring the annual Spring Powwow,
First Nations members
have been active in many other aspects of UW and Seattle Native
life. Many First Nations @ UW members have been American
Indian Student Commissioners, held Student Senate seats,
been Hachoosedah interns and volunteers, Graduate Student Assistants at
the American Indian Studies Center, TA's and RA's for UW courses,
volunteers at Pathfinder and Indian
Heritage Schools, members of the American Indian Womens Service League,
and recipients of the Seattle Indian
Commission's Indian Student of the Year Awards. First
Nations at U.W. is a group through which students learn
leadership and community building skills which they then
take on back to their tribal communities and careers.
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