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Stanford Powwow this weekend

Original post made by Tyler Hanley, digital editor of Palo Alto Online, on May 10, 2007

Would anyone care to share their Stanford Powwow experiences or memories? The powwow is celebrating its 36th year at Stanford.

Comments (9)

Posted by Anon.
a resident of Ventura
on May 11, 2007 at 12:52 pm

Been goin to the powwow for quite some time.
It used to be right on el camino (next to the rugby field) on the lawn.
Now resides under the canopy of trees in eucalyptus grove.
There are always lots of handmade artificacts, from clothing to
jewelry, and many more items for sale by the folks that come every
year. This is, in my opinion, the greatest event of the year for the palo
alto and stanford community. Singing, dancing, drumming, arts and crafts.
Great for families, or anybody. This is a truly unique event.


Posted by Walter_E_Wallis
a resident of Midtown
on May 11, 2007 at 4:07 pm

Isn't the term powwow demeaning to indigenese?


Posted by Emily
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on May 11, 2007 at 6:58 pm

I have never been to the powwow but have been planning to take my family this year. Can anyone recommend special events or good times to take my family (we have two elementary school aged children)?


Posted by pat
a resident of Midtown
on May 12, 2007 at 12:25 am

See website at: Web Link

Dances begin with the first Grand Entry (or first Gourd Dancing session) until the last dance of the day. Generally, dances will run from 7pm-11pm on Friday, 11am-11pm on Saturday, and 11am-6pm on Sunday.

No, Walter, it is not demeaning to indigenous people. It is a meeting of American Indians and is sponsored by the Stanford American Indian Association.


Posted by Draw the Line
a resident of Stanford
on May 12, 2007 at 1:50 pm

Walter: I like your sense of humor. I know you are dryly referring to the fact that so many groups have had to change their names from "The Braves" etc because such names are "demeaning"..

Should be called "Annual meeting in tents celebrating local Indigenous People" or something to keep up with other such nonsense.

Consistency isn't our strong suit.


Posted by Walter_E_Wallis
a resident of Midtown
on May 12, 2007 at 2:52 pm

My old unit, the Second Infantry, is the Indianhead Division. I tried superposing a smiley face over the Indian on the shoulder patch but it wasn't the same.


Posted by Capt. Jonn
a resident of Embarcadero Oaks/Leland
on May 13, 2007 at 10:57 am

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]


Posted by Walter_E_Wallis
a resident of Midtown
on May 13, 2007 at 1:08 pm

Scalping was a French invention, not an Indian one. Perhaps DL remembers as I do being told that any depiction of Indians was demeaning to them.


Posted by Draw the Line
a resident of Stanford
on May 13, 2007 at 1:57 pm

Yes, I do. I was a teen when it all began, and was always confused by what was acceptable and what wasn't for names, drawings, etc of anyone.

Maybe the lack of comprehension of your humor means that people are getting less easily "offended", and it is getting better. Dare we hope?


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