KU Powwow & Indigenous Cultures Festival Schedule

Tipi Raising

Outdoor Activity Station

Observe the raising of the KU tipi on the lawn of the Lied Center of Kansas. 

Workshop: Beaded Lanyards

Lied Center Seymour Gallery

Presenter: Tara Mitchell (Prairie Band Potawatomi)

Create your own beaded lanyard with Potawatomi artist Tara Mitchell. Tara will teach both wrap and peyote stitch styles depending on participant levels of experience. 

The participant age requirement is 16+ years. Other ages are welcome to watch and learn. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. Due to limited space, limited to two attendees per registration. If registration is full, festival attendees are welcome to stop by and observe at any time during the workshop. 

This workshop is at capacity.

Presentation: Powwow 101

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: Jancita Warrington (Menominee/ Potawatomi)

Listen and learn both the historical and contemporary history of the powwow and dances you will see at the event. You will hear an overview and explanation of the event head staff and their positions, songs, Tribal dances, and the purpose of the KU powwow. A short question and answer session will be held at the end of the presentation.

Activity: Native American Books & Beaded Corn Cobs

Outdoor Activity Station

Presenter: KU Speech, Language, Hearing Department

Read children’s books by Native American authors and create beaded corn cobs with pony beads and pipe cleaners at this children’s activity station located inside the tipi.

Grand Entry #1

Powwow Arena

This is the first entry for all the powwow participants entering the powwow arena. Everyone in the audience is asked to stand as the color guard brings in the flags.

Once everyone is in the arena, and while everyone continues standing, the flags are raised as singers sing the flag song and honor song. This opens the powwow and the dancing begins.

Learn more about Grand Entry

Indigenous Arts Initiative Panel: Indie to TV — Filmmaking A–Z

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: Blackhorse Lowe (Navajo)

Independent filmmaker and Reservation Dogs director Blackhorse Lowe will present alongside workshop participants about their experience learning about the film making process from idea to final festival screenings and television broadcast during a two-day workshop held in November 2025 as part of the Indigenous Arts Initiative (IAI). The IAI is a collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Arts Commission, KU Film and Media Studies, Spencer Museum of Art, and Lied Center of Kansas. 

Activity: Hand Games

Kemper Lobby

Presenter: Haskell Hand Game Club

Learn about, watch a demonstration, and play Native American Hand Game with Haskell Indian Nations University’s Hand Game Club. Hand Game is a traditional guessing game that involves hiding objects and guessing their locations and is played by many tribes, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

Research: Haskell and KU Student Scholarship Showcase

Lied Center Stage

Posters, artwork, and other scholarly projects by Haskell and KU student researchers, creatives, and student organizations will be on view on the Lied Center Stage throughout the day. Students will be present to talk about their work. 

Apply here to share your work!

Presentation: History of Haskell

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: Dr. Eric Anderson (Citizen Potawatomi)

Learn about the history of Haskell Indian Nations University from its inception as The United States Indian Industrial Training School in 1884 through present day from Haskell Indigenous and American Indian Studies professor Dr. Eric Anderson. A Q&A with Dr. Anderson will follow the presentation.

Workshop: Beaded Lanyards

Lied Center Seymour Gallery

Presenter: Tara Mitchell (Prairie Band Potawatomi)

Create your own beaded lanyard with Potawatomi artist Tara Mitchell. Tara will teach both wrap and peyote stitch styles depending on participant levels of experience. 

The participant age requirement is 16+ years. Other ages are welcome to watch and learn. The workshop is limited to 10 participants. Due to limited space, limited to two attendees per registration. If registration is full, festival attendees are welcome to stop by and observe at any time during the workshop. 

This workshop is at capacity.

Activity: Beaded Pouches

Lied Center Conference Room

Presenter: Phillip Pursel (Ioway)

Create your own beaded pouch with Ioway artist Phillip Pursel. Phillip will teach both lazy stitch and appliqué beadwork styles depending on participant levels of experience. All supplies are provided. 

The participant age requirement is 16+ years. Other ages are welcome to watch and learn. Due to limited space, limited to two attendees per registration. The workshop is limited to 16 participants. If registration is full, festival attendees are welcome to stop by and observe at any time during the workshop.

This workshop is at capacity.

Indigenous Arts Initiative Panel: Fabric Appliqué Bags

Lied Center Pavilion

Presenter: Mona Cliff (A'aninin/Nakota Nations)

Lawrence-based multidisciplinary artist Mona Cliff will present alongside workshop participants and show off the work they created during a two-day fabric appliqué bag workshop held in November 2025 as part of the Indigenous Arts Initiative (IAI). The IAI is a collaboration between the Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Arts Commission, KU Film and Media Studies, Spencer Museum of Art, and Lied Center of Kansas. 

Activity: Hand Games

Kemper Lobby

Presenter: Haskell Hand Game Club

Learn about, watch a demonstration, and play Native American Hand Game with Haskell Indian Nations University’s Hand Game Club. Hand Game is a traditional guessing game that involves hiding objects and guessing their locations and is played by many tribes, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

Grand Entry #2

Powwow Arena

This is the second entry after supper break to open the second session of the powwow.