DU Honors Native American Community

The University of Denver community came together on Sunday afternoon to celebrate the New Beginnings Pow Wow. The seventh annual event provided an opportunity for Native Americans to join in dancing, singing and creating new friendships. For the University, the event offered a chance to honor those who once lived on the land where the University now sits.

“This is a way for the University to pay respect to the original people of this land,” says Viki Eagle, director of Native American Community Relations and Programs at DU. “This institution is built on Indian land, and because of the sacrifices that Native people have gone through, we have a University here.”

The New Beginnings Pow Wow is presented each year by DU’s Native Student Alliance and is one of seven events featured by OneDU Presents, a University campaign focusing on programs promoting inclusivity, diversity and equity. More than 100 tribal nations from eight states participated in the Pow Wow.

The event was held on the Driscoll Green and was free to the public. It featured Native American jewelry and crafts, food, and traditional dancing. The Pow Wow also recognized four Native American students who will graduate from DU this year and Professor Tink Tinker of the Iliff School of Theology. Tinker teaches courses in American Indian cultures, history and religion and is retiring after 32 years. An honor song was performed for the students and Tinker, and they each received a traditional Native American blanket as a gift.