More than 3,500 people gathered at the Harvard McCurdy Outdoor Track on September 20 for the 27th annual Harvard Powwow, marking the event’s largest turnout in its history. Hosted by the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP), the Powwow has become a cornerstone celebration of Native heritage and community on campus. 

“The Harvard Powwow is a public gathering to bring the community together, highlight the beauty and power of Native Nations, and promote the important work of HUNAP,” Executive Director of HUNAP, Jordan Clark, said. Started in 1995 by a group of students, faculty, and HUNAP staff, the Powwow began small and faced challenges along the way, including a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation and attendance were initially low when the event returned in 2023, but interest surged with the 2024 event and has continued to grow significantly. 

Each year, the HUNAP Student Committee chooses a new central theme for the Powwow. The 2025 theme, Matriarchs Leading the Way, was chosen to honor HUNAP’s female leadership and how their contributions have shaped and expanded the program throughout the decades. “Female leadership has always been an integral part of Native Nations, and HUNAP is no different,” Clark said. “Pushing back against Western values of a male-dominant society is integral in promoting Native values.” 

After the theme was identified, the HUNAP Student Committee began to shape the event's vision, incorporating several additional components, such as event planning, designing the Powwow T-shirt, and brainstorming the head staff. From there, HUNAP staff handled the additional logistics, including securing permits, volunteer sign-up, and organizing the day. HUNAP hosted several public events in the days leading up to the Powwow, including beading workshops, ribbon skirt making, dancing tutorials, and even a traditional game of stickball in Harvard Yard. 

On the day of the Powwow, HUNAP staff and volunteers began preparations at 8 am to set up the grounds and organize tables and chairs before the vendors arrived shortly after. Festivities kicked off at 1 pm with a Grand Entry ceremony, followed by hours of various dances, honorees, vendor shopping, and more. 

HUNAP hopes to build upon this momentum to grow next year’s Powwow and increase interest and participation in its initiatives throughout the year.