The Madison College Pow Wow is almost 20 years old. On April 25, Native communities converged on the Truax Campus to express their heritage and to dance for their communities.
“The Pow Wow is a long-standing tradition at the college. Initially it was led by students from the Native American Association, and eventually it became more of an institutional thing,” said Katie Ackley of the Center for Organizational Impact.
Food, dancing and competition all took place at the Pow Wow. Fry bread tacos, powdered sugar fry bread and lemonade kept event-goers coming back all throughout the day.

Drums beat in rhythm as dancers moved through the dance floor in regalia and often in pairs. Dancers wore head dresses, women wore beaded gowns, and people danced with children and families.
“Our traditional pow wow is a time for us to get together and be in community with one another – to celebrate our achievements in education, in being in community and then also honor our culture,” Ackley said.
A potato dance took place halfway through the Pow Wow. In pairs, a potato was placed between two people, on their heads and teams competed to see who could hold the potato up the longest. The pairs were instructed to move to the drums. As time went on, the announcer of the pow wow asked them do things like turn or stand on one leg to see who was left in the competition.
While the potato dance is not a traditional dance, it is a fun way to build community, cultural expression and intergenerational connection. The potato dance at this pow wow drew people into watch and was a fun experience for all.
“My hope is that folks who come really just take away the vibrancy of our culture. As well as that pow wows are not just for us. Yes, it is a way for us to honor our culture, but pow wows are for everyone,” Ackley said.