New Beginnings Pow Wow
As you may or may not be aware, in Native American communities, a Pow Wow is a social gathering, a time when dance and music honor the resilient cultural history of traditional Native American people and culture. The Pow Wow at DU has always been about education by allowing the student body to participate and learn about Native American traditions and people.
The DU Pow Wow has become a campus-wide event with support from the Native Student Alliance and the Office of the Provost.
Alcohol and Drug Free Notice
The University of Denver’s upcoming Pow Wow event is intended provide a family-oriented and respectful atmosphere that is safe and enjoyable for all attendees. As a result, please be advised that the event will be alcohol and drug-free. Attendees are prohibited from bringing any alcohol or drugs to the event. Even if beer is available for sale in concession stands within the Ritchie Center, no alcohol will be permitted within the Pow Wow arena.
We also kindly request that attendance refrain from consuming such substances prior to attending. Any individual who is inebriated or intoxicated will not be permitted to enter the Pow Wow arena.
This policy is in place to ensure the comfort and safety of all attendees, including children and families. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to our policies and helping us to maintain a positive and respectful environment at the event.
2025 Pow Wow
Indigenous Dreams of the Future
Join us for the New Beginnings Pow Wow: Indigenous Dreams of the Future on Saturday, May 3rd in the Hamilton Gym (University of Denver).
Celebrate Indigenous brilliance and get free DU swag by stopping by the Indigenous Alumni Affinity Network (IAA) booth to write a card to our Indigenous graduates who will be honored in our Blanket Wrapping Ceremony!
This event is free and open to the public.
Tentative Pow Wow Schedule
| 10:00am - Registration Opens | 12:45pm - Intertribal Round | 2:30pm - Junior Competition | 4:30pm - Honoring DU Graduates | 6:45pm - Men's Competition |
| 10:30am - Gourd Dance | 1:15pm - Tiny Tots | 3:00pm - Teens Competition | 5:00pm - Intertribal Round | 7:15pm - Intertribal Round |
| 11:45pm - Head Gourd Dancer GA | 1:45pm - Head Man & Head Women Giveaway | 3:30pm - Dwayne Standing Bear Special | 5:15pm - Women's Competition | 8:00pm - Winners |
| 12:00pm - Grand Entry | 2:15 - Intertribal Round | 415:pm - Golden Age | 6:00pm - Keya Standing Bear Women's Traditional | 9:00pm - Pow Wow Concludes |
Follow the Event Facebook Page
To stay in the loop and ultimately see this year's winners, please follow the 2025 University of Denver New Beginnings Pow Wow page!
Pow Wow Etiquette
Getting excited for the New Beginnings Pow Wow? So are we!
Last year, the Native Student Alliance hosted an open meeting to discuss common etiquette on how to attend a Pow Wow respectfully. The goal was to learn something to make your powwow experience even better!
Community Feed
In 2020, the Native Student Alliance hosted a social distance Community Feed outside the University of Denver Community Commons, finding ways to celebrate and be in community during the pandemic.
Tocabe meals were available for our local Native Denver community members. We want to thank you for your resilience and for supporting our events! You can still watch the dancers on our University of Denver New Beginnings Social Distance Pow Wow page!
