The University of Utah will host its 54th annual Pow Wow on March 21 at the Jon M. Huntsman Center, bringing together tribal members, students, and community members from across the Intermountain West for a celebration of culture and heritage.
The event is significant as it provides a space for Native identity to be celebrated and shared, while also strengthening connections between tribes, students, and the broader public. It allows Native students at the university to share their cultures and create a sense of belonging on campus.
Samantha Eldridge, director of the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, said, “The University of Utah Pow Wow is a powerful reminder that our cultures, teachings and relationships are living and enduring.” She added, “This year’s theme, ‘Threading Our Legacies,’ speaks to the ways our ancestors’ teachings guide us and connect our past, present and future. We are honored to welcome tribal members from across the Intermountain West to Pow Wow to honor their cultural and spiritual practices as a living legacy of our heritage.”
The theme for this year’s event is “Threading Our Legacies,” which reflects how traditional knowledge is passed down through families and ancestors. The theme draws on imagery likening these teachings to constellations in the night sky—carefully placed by loved ones and connected through generations.
A highlight of this year’s Pow Wow will be artist Paula TopSky Houtz, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock/Chippewa Cree tribe. Her beadwork piece inspired this year’s theme and logo. TopSky Houtz approaches art as a dialogue guided by ancestral knowledge as well as present-day intuition. Her artwork will be displayed during the celebration.
The event is organized in partnership with the Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement, Student Affairs, and the University of Utah Inter-Tribal Student Association. It reflects an ongoing commitment by the university to honor Native communities and support Native student leadership.
By gathering in community at this annual tradition, participants aim to honor enduring Native traditions while building relationships that carry those teachings forward.
