Inaugural Intertribal Powwow Events
Critical Conversation: “We’re All Part of this Story” with Sarah E. Harris, Vice Chairwoman of the Mohegan Tribe
Monday, April 7, noon to 1 p.m., Mount Carmel Auditorium, CCE 101
This discussion will focus on indigenous communities, people’s rights and how the Mohegan Tribe works with external communities and institutions.
Sarah Harris is currently serving her second term on the Tribal Council of The Mohegan Tribe. Previously, she was an attorney at various law firms in the Washington, D.C. area representing Native American tribes, tribal entities and tribal organizations. In 2013, she received a presidential appointment to serve as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs and, prior to that, served as Special Assistant to the Solicitor in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Harris earned her juris doctorate from American University, Washington College of Law and her bachelor of arts in Native American Studies from Dartmouth College. She currently serves a member of the Native American Visiting Committee, which advises the Dartmouth President on Native American issues at the College.
In 2016, Harris was selected by the National Center for American Enterprise Development as a “Native American 40 Under 40” award recipient for her contributions in business and her community.
Powwow Dancing Workshop
Friday, April 11, 5 to 6 p.m., Recreation and Wellness Center, RWA 256
Join us for an educational workshop led by Kiara Tanta-Quidgeon, an eastern blanket dancer, that will bring together the arts, cultural awareness and history of powwow dancing. Dinner will be provided, and there will also be an opportunity to win Indigenous-made jewelry and other prizes.
Quinnipiac’s Inaugural Powwow: “Dancing in the Shadow of Sleeping Giant”
Sunday, April 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mount Carmel Quad
Join us for the inaugural intertribal gathering at Quinnipiac featuring traditional performances, social dances, presentations, food and more. Over 15 Indigenous vendors will have jewelry, artwork and crafts available to purchase. This event is free and open to the public.
“Exploring Possibilities: Can Powwows Transform and Unsettle Higher Ed?” Lunch and Learn
Friday, April 25, 1 to 2 p.m., Albert Schweitzer Institute
Join us for a thoughtful dialogue and reflection on how the powwow fits within broader efforts to reimagine higher education through Indigenous epistemologies led by endawnis Spears from the Akomawt Educational Initiative. Please bring your lunch, light snacks will be provided. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required.
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Past Events
“Indigenous Aid to Ireland During the Great Hunger” Exhibit Opening and Symposium
The exhibition explores the remarkable generosity of the Choctaws and Cherokees, who themselves had endured forced displacement only years earlier, as well as the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat Indigenous Peoples in Canada West, whose donations came at a time of increasing settler encroachment and broken treaties. This event offered a rare opportunity to reflect on a profound moment of historical solidarity and generosity between Indigenous communities and the Irish people, ensuring that these acts of kindness continue to be honored and remembered.
The exhibition includes:
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Original government reports outlining treaty agreements from the 1830s
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Historic maps of Ireland and the Trail of Tears
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A sculpture honoring the Choctaw gift
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Artwork by Philip Cote
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A Wampum Belt, presented by the Haudenosaunee Nationals (formerly Iroquois Nationals) to Ireland Lacrosse in 2022, symbolizing the ongoing Circle of Giving
“Intertribal Powwow History and Dancing into the Future” Lunch and Learn
Participants learned about the history of the modern day intertribal powwow and how it showed up in the Northeast. Led by Chris Newell and endawnis Spears from the Akomawt Educational Initiative, this discussion also considered the role of the powwow in the context of the university and its connections to cultural reclamation and sovereignty. This event was free and open to the public.
Akomawt Blanket Exercise
Chris Newell and endawnis Spears from the Akomawt Educational Initiative led participants through the U.S. version of the KAIROS Blanket Exercise. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise program is a unique, interactive and participatory history lesson developed in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers and educators. The Blanket Exercise covered more than 500 years in a 90-minute experiential workshop that aimed to foster understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
