Thank You From The Native American Student Association
Dear family and friends,
The Native American Student Association, would like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors who have donated their time and support to this event. We understand the commitment to host a large event such as this one requires support from the university, thus, we are appreciative of the various ways Weber State University departments have graciously contributed and supported the Native American students in this endeavor.
We would like to express our appreciation to our Advisor Amanda Jones. She dedicates her time and effort and has supported us all consistently from the beginning. She has encouraged us and assisted us through this process of planning this year's Pow Wow and many other events through the year. Thank you Amanda!
We hope that hosting this event will create lasting relationships between the University, surrounding Native Communities, and members from Ogden City who also come to partake in the festivities. We believe in Weber State University’s core values of learning through personalized experience and shared inquiry, engagement in the community, access and opportunity for all, respect for people and ideas, and nurturing the potential within every individual and have actively worked to exemplify and engage with these principles through this public campus and community events.
Thank you for attending and helping make this year's 45th Annual Indigenous Voices Pow-Wow a great success.
Sincerely,
The Native American Student Association
Thank You To Our Sponsors:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
NASA President, Coriana Yoe
Senator of Engagement & Belonging/NASA Vice President, Toni Nakai
NASA Officers & Members
NASA Advisor/Program Manager, Amanda Jones
NASA/AIC Alumni
Billie Atsitty de Paiva
Crystal Taylor & Dee Events Center Team
WSU COLLEGES & DEPARTMENTS
Student Success Center
WSUSA Senate/Clubs & Orgs
WSU MarComm
WSU Police
Wildcat Design & Print
COMMUNITY PARTNERS & MEMBERS
Native American Trading Post
Coca-Cola
Corianna Yoe T-shirt Graphic Artist
Family of Vivian Tapahe
Arnold Lano and the Utah Intertribal Veterans Association
We would like to also extend a thank you to all the volunteers who have donated their time
Etiquette
Everyone is welcome to the Pow Wow, however, it is important to realize that some dances are ceremonial and should be observed with respect.
- Always listen to the Master of Ceremonies (MC), they coordinate the Pow Wow and will provide information about events as they transpire.
- Stand during the Grand Entry, Flag Songs, Invocation, Honor songs, and whenever directed by the MC.
- If you wish to take pictures, check first with the dancer, the MC, or the Arena Director to ensure that respect is given and reverence is maintained.
- Please respect all seating areas which have been reserved for elders and dancers.
- Respect the position of Head Man and Head Woman dancers; their positions entitle them to start each song or set of songs.
- The clothing worn by dancers is known as regalia. Sometimes it will be referred to as an outfit, NOT a costume; Regalia comes from decades of tradition and must be respected.
- If you are not wearing regalia, you may only dance during intertribal and social songs; for clarification, seek guidance from the Arena Director. Appropriate, modest dress and behavior is required in the circle. Anyone unwilling to abide by the protocol will be asked to leave.
- Never touch a dancer’s regalia, feathers, drum, or other items without express permission to do so.
- Only those granted permission by the lead singer should approach or sit at a drum.
- Please watch your children at all times.
- Do not turn down an invitation by others–especially elders.
- Appropriate, modest dress and behavior is required in the circle. Anyone unwilling to abide by the protocol will be asked to leave.
- Absolutely no alcoholic beverages or drugs are permitted at the Pow Wow.
- REMEMBER YOU ARE A GUEST, HAVE FUN, ASK QUESTIONS, MEET PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCE A NEW CULTURE!
About the Head Staff
The head staff is composed of the Master of Ceremonies, Arena Director, Headman, Headwoman, and Host Drum.
The Master of Ceremonies (MC) plays a significant role in ensuring pertinent information is relayed to participants and spectators; the MC calls the dancers to the dance circle for the grand entries and dance contests. In addition, their role is also to explain the origin of each dance, share their knowledge on regalia, and provide context and meaning for the variation of songs provided by the drum groups.
The Arena Director (AD) is responsible for ensuring the Pow Wow adheres to the program. Other duties of the AD include coordinating the lineup of grand entries, giving signals to begin various dance categories, and organizing the selection of dance judges, all while working closely with the MC.
The Host Drum and drum groups provide a key element required for any Pow Wow, the musical component dancers rely on. They are the primary drum group that is trusted for significant segments of the Pow Wow such as grand entry songs, flag songs, victory songs, and any other requests. The host drum can be composed of anywhere between six to fourteen individuals. The singers can come from many nations traveling near and far to come together as a drum group. The host drum is much like a headlining band at a contemporary concert
The head dancers, Headman and Headwoman, lead all dancers into the arena during grand entries, grand exits, and at the start of each song. In many Native cultures, leadership entails various expectations to meet the needs of the community; the same is true for head dancers at Pow Wows. As head dancers, they are strongly encouraged to provide aid to elders, be role models for the youth, participate in all social dances, and if requested, lead a couple’s dance at the Powwow.
Master of Ceremonies
Name: Corey Reeder
City, State: Anadarko, Oklahoma
Tribe: Wichita and Affiliated Tribes of Anadarko, Oklahoma
Arena Director
Name: Lane Neaman
City, State: Northern Ute, Santa Clara Pueblo
Tribe: Northwestern Band of Shoshone Tribe
Weber State Representatives
Native American Student Association President:
Corianna Yoe
Yá'át'ééh shí eí Corianna Yoe yinishyé, Bit’ahnii nishłí, Tó aheedlíínii báshíshchíín, ‘Áshįįhí da shicheii, dóó Táchii’nii da shinalí. T’iis Yáázh ∤ání dęę’ naashá.
Hello, my name is Corianna Yoe. I am from Old Valley Store, AZ. I am from the Navajo reservation. This is my fourth year at Weber State and my second year as the Native American Student Association president. I also work at the Student Success Center as a Student Success Advocate. I am majoring in Medical Laboratory Sciences with a Minor in Art.
This year's T-shirt designs for the Powwow is focused on our drummers. The reason for this is that most designs I have seen focus on the dancers, and our Pow Wow is called the Indigenous Voices Pow Wow, the drummers bring the beats and the voices to the event. We appreciate the drummers and singers at the events as much as we do the dancers and anyone who attends. I hope you enjoy this year's Pow Wow and t-shirt!
Student Engagement Program Manager & Native American Student Association Advisor:
Amanda Jones
My name is Amanda Jones, and I am a citizen of the Diné nation. I am the advisor for the Native American Student Association (NASA), and a Student Engagement Program Manager in the Student Success Center here at Weber State University. I am an alumni from Weber State with a history of also serving with the Native American Student Association. I am proud of the success and ambition of our Native American students here and am overjoyed to be serving the students and community here in Ogden, Utah.
Senator/Vice President:
Toni Nakai
Yá'át'ééh, hello, my name is Toni Nakai. I am the Native American Student Association (NASA) Vice President, and the Engagement and Belonging Senator for NASA here at Weber State! I also work at the Student Success Center as a Student Success Advocate! I am Diné or Navajo and come from the Four Corners area in Red Mesa, Utah. I am in my bachelors program for Psychological Sciences and minoring in Sociology and I have been at Weber State for 3 years now! I love advocating for my people and spreading awareness about social issues. I’m excited for this year's Powwow and proud to be showing off our culture to the Ogden community!
Pow Wow Schedule: March 15, 2025
Afternoon Session
10 a.m.
Doors Open
Noon
1st Grand Entry
- Tiny Tots Special (Sponsored by Native American Trading Post)
CONTESTS:
Golden Age
- Golden Age Women combined
- Golden Age Men Combined
Jr Categories
- Jr. Girls Fancy, Jingle, & Traditional
- Jr. Boys Fancy, Grass, & Traditional
Teen Categories
- Teen Girls Fancy, Jingle, & Traditional
- Teen Boys Fancy, Grass, & Traditional
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Dinner Break
Head Staff meal sponsored by Northwestern Band of Shoshone Office
Evening Session
4:30 p.m.
Performance by WSU Ballet Folklórico
6 p.m.
2nd Grand Entry
- Tiny Tots Special (Sponsored by Family of Vivian Tapahe)
CONTESTS:
- Women’s Fancy, Jingle & Traditional
- Men’s Fancy, Grass & Traditional
8:30 p.m.
Head Man Traditional Special 18+
Head Woman Special - Women's Traditional 18+
10+ p.m.
Contest Winners Announced