Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Sylvania Campus welcomes 21st edition of popular Winter Traditional Powwow Jan. 18

Photos and Story by Celina Baguiao

Portland Community College is celebrating Native American culture and traditions with its 21st annual powwow at the Sylvania Campus.

The “Wacipi” (“They Dance”) Traditional Powwow is from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, in the gymnasium of the Health Technology Building (HT). Honored guests include the master of ceremonies Bob Tom (Confederated Tribes of Siletz and Grand Ronde), whip man Deitz Peters, co-host drums “Four Directions” and “White Sage,” and head dancers Cheryl Stinnett and Tyee Russell.

“The powwow is Sylvania’s signature event and it is a celebration of Portland and Oregon’s native community,” said Mak Porotesano, coordinator of the campus’ Multicultural Center. “It is a time to honor our community, raise money and keep the traditions of the indigenous people culture alive and thriving.”

This year’s event will include grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and a free community dinner at 5:30 p.m. There will be drum groups, dancers, crafts, food, a college fair and raffle prizes. Money raised from the event benefits PCC’s Native American Scholarship Fund through the PCC Foundation, and vendor space provided by the college helps local Native American businesses.

“The scholarship funds support students from our Native communities,” Porotesano added. “We have a lot of work to do with our Indigenous peoples and students, but this is a great place to start.”

The Winter Traditional Powwow is sponsored by Sylvania Campus President Lisa Avery, the PCC Powwow Planning Committee, Sylvania Campus Multicultural and Women’s Resource Centers and the Native American Youth and Family Center.

Admission and parking to the powwow are free.

For more information, visit www.pcc.edu/powwow, or call (971) 722-4116.