'Connected by Our Roots': Powwow celebrates 35th year with dance, drums and community meal

March 12, 2026

Traditional Indigenous dance is a centerpiece of the Woodlands and High Plains Powwow, which celebrates Native culture through generations-old customs and artistry. This year’s event is March 28 at Minnesota State Moorhead. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The 35th annual Woodlands and High Plains Powwow (WHPP) will be held Saturday, March 28, in Nemzek Fieldhouse on the Minnesota State Moorhead campus. This year’s theme is “Connected by Our Roots, We Remain Resilient.”

A vibrant celebration of Indigenous culture, the powwow features many styles of dance, drum songs, and customs passed down through generations. Attendees will experience the artistry of traditional regalia and enjoy handcrafted goods from Indigenous vendors.

Grand entries are at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., with a free community meal served from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The doors will open to the public at noon. This year’s head dancers are Anna Shepphard, White Earth Nation, and Delores Gabbard, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

Admission is free for children 5 and under and college students with ID, $3 for youth 6-18 and elders (55+), and $5 for adults.

The WHPP is sponsored by Minnesota State Moorhead, Concordia College, North Dakota State College of Science, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, and North Dakota State University.

For more information, visit the Woodlands and High Plains Powwow Facebook page.