Livingston, Texas, resident William Harjo, 75, demonstrates his flutes for sale during the North Texas Powwow on Oct. 24 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. Harjo handmakes his flutes.
The UTA Native American Student Association hosted the North Texas Powwow in collaboration with IndigiCommunity on Saturday at the Esports Stadium Arlington.
Powwows have been a way for Native Americans to celebrate their culture for over a century through dance, song and connection. This is the first time the IndigiCommunity powwow has been held in Arlington, after moving from Dallas.
The event featured traditional dancing, gourd dancing, drumming, contests and vendors selling Indigenous art and trinkets.
Attendees dance during the North Texas Powwow on Oct. 24 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. The North Texas Powwow was hosted by the IndigiCommunity and the UTA Native American Student Association.
Sampson Dewey, UTA alum and former president of the Native American Student Association, said it’s nice to have the powwow indoors and close to campus.
“Definitely the dancers,” Dewey said when asked what stood out most about the event.
The dancers were a big draw during the event.
As people walked into the stadium, thuds of drums echoed and bells on dancers’ regalia — their traditional Native American clothing — filled the venue.
Attendees use ceremonial dance and talking sticks while dancing during the North Texas Powwow on Oct. 24 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. Traditional dance sticks were used for prayer, dance and medicinal purposes.
The performers, in attire tied to their respective tribes, took the floor, ready to compete. They moved with small rhythmic steps, their weight shifting from foot to foot. With every step and pivot, bells rang out and feathers flowed.
Oklahoma resident JR Lonelodge, 47, was one of the dancers at the event. He donned regalia with long lime green, orange and red fringe. Black panels with white, black, red and orange beads — each stitched individually — covered his torso and back.
His regalia was topped off with his headpiece, which was made using golden eagle feathers.
Livingston, Texas, resident Jazlyn Espinoza, 7, dances along with drums during the North Texas Powwow on Oct. 24 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. Dancing, contests and a vendor market were available for attendees.
Lonelodge dances a style called war dance, or men’s fancy dance — for which he’s won a national championship. The dance is known for its fast footwork, spins, jumps, sudden changes of direction and movement that stays closely connected to the drum, according to Powwow Times.
Lonelodge said he’s been dancing for as long as he can remember after being introduced to the style by his grandfather, who was a war dance world champion.
“The only thing I had on was my baby diaper and my bottle, and I was jamming out with the men,” Lonelodge said about his introduction to dancing. “I kind of took off from there.”
Denton, Texas, resident Danyle Reed, 36, said the powwow was her first, and she decided to go after her friend invited her, allowing her to try something new.
Drum circle members play the drums during the North Texas Powwow on Oct. 24 at the Esports Stadium Arlington. Drums are traditionally used during Native American ceremonies.
“Getting new experiences is really hard these days. So something new and exciting and learning about different cultures is always something I like doing,” Reed said.
She said her favorite part of the event was the beautiful designs of the regalia and jewelry.
“There’s no touching the way that they do their beauty,” Reed said.