On April 27, the University of New Mexico Kiva Club hosted its 66th annual Nizhoni Days Powwow — the last celebration in a weeklong dedication of events that honor American Indian culture and education with dancers coming from around the state to participate.
UNM’s Kiva Club is one of the oldest Native American college student organizations in the U.S, according to Source NM, and it has celebrated the Powwow since 1955.
Malachi Daw Béésh Bichʼáanii Nishłí Kiyáaʼaanii Bashishchiin (Diné) performed in the Grass Dance, a representation of change.
“With grass dance, it's all to represent grass and constant fluidity,” he said. “There’s always change and there's always good and there's always bad, but to always keep going.”
Daw said he grew up being taught about the Grass Dance in a certain way, but that there are different ways it is represented.
“A long time ago, grass dancers would go out into the arena first to dance on the grass so they could pat it all down,” he said. “You're representing the grass, the earth and everything around it.”
Daw said he has grown up participating in powwows his whole life, for ceremony and for family, and will continue to dance as long as he can.
“My family has been dancers for a long time and powwow is a way of life, a way of being,” Daw said. “In Lakota culture they say you walk the red road, and I’m my culture, we say walk the corn pollen road; I feel like my corn pollen road also involves powwow.”
“Dance proud. It's only up to you, dance with your heart. You're here to dance, to be a dancer,” Daw said. “You're here with confidence to dance.”
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
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Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
