Celebrating All Walks of Life Traditional Pow Wow: Native Pride celebrates 20 years

There are many reasons to attend a Pow Wow celebration of our American Indian culture, but nothing is more compelling than the chance to witness the awesome pageantry of the Grand Entry that will kick off the 20th annual Celebrating All Walks of Life Traditional Pow Wow at the Fieldhouse on GVSU Allendale Campus.

The university is expecting hundreds of people from Native American communities in the Great Lakes region, traveling as far away as the Upper Peninsula.

The famed Grand Entry performances will commence at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 7 and at noon on April 8 with doors opening at 11 a.m. on both days to allow you plenty of time to scout a location to watch this festive event. 

This year the co-coordinator of the very first Grand Valley pow wow in 1998, Scott Herron, will return to attend the area’s prized cultural celebration. Herron is a Grand Valley alumnus and biology professor at Ferris State University.

In addition to the presentations of Native American culture, attendees will have a chance to purchase handmade crafts, as well as samples of what the food vendors will be serving.

The event also hosts a silent auction with proceeds going towards the Grand Valley’s Native American Student Association. 

This pow wow is a free, family friendly event and is sponsored by the Native American Student Association, Office of Multicultural Affairs, and Division of Inclusion and Equity at Grand Valley. 

For more information, visit There are many reasons to attend a Pow Wow celebration of our American Indian culture, but nothing is more compelling than the chance to witness the awesome pageantry of the Grand Entry that will kick off the 20th annual Celebrating All Walks of Life Traditional Pow Wow at the Fieldhouse on GVSU Allendale Campus.

The university is expecting hundreds of people from Native American communities in the Great Lakes region, traveling as far away as the Upper Peninsula.

The famed Grand Entry performances will commence at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 7 and at noon on April 8 with doors opening at 11 a.m. on both days to allow you plenty of time to scout a location to watch this festive event. 

This year the co-coordinator of the very first Grand Valley pow wow in 1998, Scott Herron, will return to attend the area’s prized cultural celebration. Herron is a Grand Valley alumnus and biology professor at Ferris State University.

In addition to the presentations of Native American culture, attendees will have a chance to purchase handmade crafts, as well as samples of what the food vendors will be serving.

The event also hosts a silent auction with proceeds going towards the Grand Valley’s Native American Student Association. 

This pow wow is a free, family friendly event and is sponsored by the Native American Student Association, Office of Multicultural Affairs, and Division of Inclusion and Equity at Grand Valley. 

For more information, visit gvsu.edu/oma/powwow