Pow Wow Program

Bio:

My name is Abraham Thomas. I was born in a small town in Riverton, Wyoming. I was raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota and the Wind River Reservation of Wyoming. I moved to Utah in 2005. I’m Native American Oglala/Lakota (Sioux) and Tongan. My passion is singing, and my focus is to bring positivity to people who fight with depression like myself. My motivation is to show my love and spirit through my music. My dream is to sing in front of millions of people to bring inspiration to all who are searching for hope, love, and happiness.

I am a singer, songwriter, a motivational speaker, and a proud voice for mental health and suicide prevention.

Bio:

Phillip Manning is an enrolled member of the Ute Indian Tribe from Ft. Duchesne, UT, where he was born and raised. He currently resides in Herriman, UT with his wife MelaIssa Cohoe.

He is a freelance performer, primarily specializing in singing and drumming for various shows. Sharing his talents with others brings him immense pleasure. Throughout his community, he is also known as a drum maker and song maker.

From an incredibly early age, Phillip was taught the ways of his culture and continues to practice the traditions and ceremonies of his tribe. He takes great pride in sharing his culture with people from around the world and enjoys learning from others as well.

He hopes that his presence offers insight into Indigenous culture and reminds others that his tribe represents just a few of the many tribes across the United States.

Bio:

Tsaan dabai ne nanewene. Ne Brianna Esaw mai naniha. Ne Bazi Dukumpeh mai newe naniha. Ne Attakuh naite. Ne baide Azaelia Sky Neaman mai naniha. Ne ape Barry Esaw mai naniha. Mcghee Arkansas naite. Ne pii Lillian Kelly mai naniha. Dokkapatih naite. Ne toko-nappeh Gladden Kelly mai naniha. Dokkapatih naite. Ne kaku Arloa Kelly mai naniha. Dokkapatih naite. Ne kenu-nappeh Eddie Esaw mai naniha. Ne huttsi-nappeh Ruby Steen mai naniha. Mcghee, Arkansas. Ne nanewene Attakuh naite dease Dokkapatih naite dease Dosa Wihi naite dease Arkansas naite. Osa Maiku 

Hello to all my friends and family! I'm Brianna Esaw. I was given my Shoshone name, Sister Sky, by a relative during an important time in my life. My partner, Lane Neaman, and I are the proud parents of a 3-year-old named Azaelia Sky Neaman. I am an enrolled member of the Western Te-Moak tribe 

in Elko, Nevada. My parents are Barry Esaw and Lillian Kelly. My maternal grandparents are Arloa Kelly and the late Gladden Kelly. My paternal grandparents are the late Ruby Steen and the late Eddie Esaw. My family roots extend to Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Arkansas and I'm also a descendant of the White Knife Band. 

Back in high school, I attended the Shoshone Community Language Initiative program at Great Basin Community College. There, I immersed myself in traditional Shoshonean knowledge, language, and culture. I furthered my education by studying Environmental Science at the University of Northern Colorado and Weber State University. 

Currently, I'm a Conservation Education Ecologist at the Tracy Aviary, where I create STEM education programs for young people. My focus is on integrating Indigenous Knowledge into my curriculum, creating a space where Indigenous people feel comfortable in nature and inspiring more Indigenous people to pursue STEM careers. 

Serving as the Head Woman for the 2026 Weber State University Powwow is a tremendous honor. I'm excited to announce that I will be hosting a Women's Jingle Dress Special, where I'll be welcomed into the circle. 

Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead! Looking forward to seeing you all in March. Aise aise!

Bio:

Yá’át’ééh, shí eí Zac Palmer yinishyé, Tó’dich’iin’ii nishłí doo Kinyaa’aanii báshíshchíín, Chishi da shicheii dóó Bein’yoodzini dine’e da shinalí. Greetings! My name is Zac Palmer, I am an enrolled member of the Cedar Band of Paiutes of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, as well as Dine and Apache. My family is originally from Tuba City, AZ and Cedar City, UT. Currently, I reside in Riverton, Utah, in the Salt Lake Valley. I have been grass dancing since my junior years when my family first began traveling across the western United States. I don’t get the opportunity to travel as much as we used to growing up, but when I do, I take full advantage of the opportunity to bring healing and prayer back to my family.

In my professional life, I am a Senior Advisor for the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. As a student affairs professional, my goal is not only retention but to impact the sense of belonging that students develop while away at college. My experience as a first-generation student drives my professional career. I hold a baccalaureate degree in Psychology from Southern Utah University, a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and I’m currently pursuing my Ph.D. in the department of Education, Culture, and Society at the University of Utah. My research focuses on Indigenous resiliency, decolonial methodologies, and the impacts of intergenerational trauma on perceptions of higher education.

I am honored and thankful that the WSU committee has reached out to myself and my family for this honor. I’m looking forward to this year’s celebration and supporting the hard work that Amanda Jones and the WSU students have done for it.

Ahe’hee

Bio: Scout Society was formed back in 2015 among singers from Utah Valley and Idaho. Scout Society has grown from a drum group into a family. Currently, we have members from Washington, Nevada, and even Canada. Throughout the years, we sang songs created by others, but now, many of our members have created the songs we sing. Our drum group has traveled throughout Utah and many other states, sharing our love and interpretation of music. We are honored to serve as the host drum and want to thank Weber State University for inviting us to share our sound.