BOULDER, Colo. – After 23 years, the University of Colorado Boulder Fall Powwow is back. The traditional gathering of Indigenous musicians and dancers makes its grand return to Farrand Field on Saturday morning.

“I see all the old photos of all the former dancers, all the former members. Seeing her on a podium talking and giving speeches – just that energy. I wanted to bring it back to campus,” said Artemis Nopah, a third-year music student at CU Boulder.

Nopah is part of Oyate, a Native American and indigenous student organization that has been planning to revive the Fall Powwow for several years.

Powwows are social gatherings, a way to reflect on Native traditions — and something that Native student groups felt was important to bring back to campus.

“There were past powwows and we had access to our archives and were able to see what the powwows looked like back then.” I just thought it would be really great for me to bring that back because I would like to have more Native and Indigenous voices here on campus would see,” Nopah said.

CU Boulder’s fall 2024 student population shows record-breaking retention of local students, with 91% returning for their second year.

“This is one way the campus can truly live out its land acknowledgment. In our land acknowledgment we talk about supporting native communities, students, staff and faculty – drawing on traditional culture and indigenous knowledge, and this is an important way to convey that cultural knowledge and celebration,” said Amanda Linsenmeyer, Program Director of the Office of Intercultural Engagement for the Center for Inclusion and Social Change.

The dancing, music and drumming extended beyond the CU Boulder community, with representatives from neighboring states also coming to the fall powwow.

The students believe this is a perfect example of how important it is to keep the tradition alive after more than two decades.

“We are a small community, but just because we are small doesn’t mean we don’t have a voice here and can be loud,” Nopah said.