Warm Springs K-8 Academy celebrated National Native American Heritage Month with powwow showcase

The Warm Springs K-8 Academy celebrated National Native American Heritage month with its first Powwow Showcase on Nov. 14 during the school day. Students and their families gathered in the school gym to witness and participate in many performances that included singing, drumming and dancing. The event kicked off with a grand entry of all the performers, before various dances including a grass dance, traditional dances for both boys and girls, and a crow hop were performed. Many students who performed dressed for the occasion in regalia. “So traditionally, you’re supposed to follow what your bloodlines design is,” said Gavin Begay, who helped organize the event. “So, my grandfather has a certain design that I use, but my brother didn’t use it. He got gifted his own design. So I carry out my grandfather’s and he got his own. But now, because everything’s so contemporary, contemporary people are just making their own designs.” Begay said sometimes this can cause conflict if a created design is close to someone’s family design. The outfits often include bead work and appliqués. More modern designs have a lot of color, while traditionally regalia is made from animal skins. Begay also said that powwows originate from the Natives in modern day South Dakota. The tradition spread from there. Now, the dances and songs performed are from all over the country, including the Ojibwe people near the Great Lakes, and Omaha people in what is now Nebraska. The dances and songs are not written down, but instead get passed down to the next generation through events like this one. The academy has also recently brought back the end of the year powwow, and Begay said that has been a positive experience as well. “It’s really been powerful for people to see that, for the kids to see, the spiritual and cultural connections that we have,” said Begay. “And also for the families to come out, support the youth and the community just to come together.” In the first week of December, the Warm Springs K-8 Academy will hold a round dance, which is used as a way to bless and pray for the school.
https://madraspioneer.com/2025/11/21/warm-springs-k-8-academy-celebrated-national-native-american-heritage-month-with-powwow-showcase/