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A Sacred Gathering

On a bright, sun-dappled weekend in early May in the heart of campus, Native and Indigenous peoples from around the country came together to renew ties, perform rituals and build community in an event UCLA has proudly hosted for almost 40 years.

The day was filled with gorgeous, colorful traditional regalia festooned with intricate feather and bead work — including on the moccasins.

The official kickoff to the event was a ‘Grand Entry’ where all participants paraded into the stadium dressed in regalia, dancing to the beat of the drums. Following the procession was the Ms. UCLA Pow Wow coronation, where the talented contestants presented their goals and vision for how they hope to contribute to their Native communities.

The winner of the 2023 Ms. UCLA Pow Wow, Camryn Redmond.
Former Ms. UCLA Pow Wow 2022, Emily Silver-Campbell
Ms. UCLA Pow Wow Contestant, Melonie Houston

The first day of festivities, Saturday, May 6, was designated as “Family Day,” where multiple generations came together as a reminder of the power of family bonds in celebrating the beauty, warmth and culture of the Native and Indigenous experience in America.

Credits:

Photography by Smallz + Raskind