NASANU — the Native American students of Norwich University — is traveling to the University of Massachusetts pow-wow at the end of April, according to club president Cherylanne Linares.
“For some of our students here, it’s going to be their first pow-wow ever,” said Linares. “Some are very comfortable with them, so we’re all very excited.”
This is the first year Norwich has been invited to participate in the pow-wow portion of the week, according to Linares.
“We’re going to network a little bit more to be able to get more involved with other schools as well,” said Linares. “This is a chance for our students to get to work with their students.”
For Kati Saunders, a 19-year-old freshman who is almost 50 percent Cherokee, the pow-wow is “a time to share stories, memories, dreams and goals. It connects people to our old ways/traditions and you can learn about native spirituality.”
There will be a variety of drummers and exhibitions at the event, all of which will provide a learning experience for students.
“I am hopeful that I will be able to speak with some of the drummers there and I would also enjoy learning a few songs from them if possible,” said Matt Hornick, 20, a business and finance major from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and member of both the Linape and Iroquois tribes.
For Hornick, pow-wows are a learning experience, both about his tribe and himself.
“I go to things like this for me,” said Hornick. “I first like to learn and second enjoy the people around.”
Hornick serves as the lead drummer for the club, and will perform. The Norwich drummers will prepare a few pieces should they be invited to perform.
Members of the club will also participate in dances and other musical events. “I will be signing (American Sign Language) Amazing Grace and a Cherokee drum song,” said Saunders. “I will also be participating with three other members in the performance of an Eastern Blanket Dance.”
Linares expects that a solid performance and networking at the pow-wow will encourage other schools to participate in the Norwich pow-wow planned for the fall. “We hope that this will put Norwich on the map for the pow-wow trail in New England,” said Linares.
“Our intentions with this pow wow is to draw more attention to the group and hopefully some new members,” said Hornick. “Should all go as planned, we will also be able to bring some attention to the university that it would not otherwise get from a community that is often overlooked”