KU will soon host its 37th annual Powwow and ninth annual Indigenous Cultures Festival, preceded by a film screening and hip hop performance.

The powwow is free and open to the public and will feature Grass, Traditional, Fancy and Jingle dancing.

The first Grand Entry will start at noon Saturday, April 11 at the Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive.

Because of storms anticipated on Saturday, the powwow will move indoors. Dancing will be on the main stage; art vendors will be in the main lobby and second-floor Seymour Gallery; and food vendors will be outside with a tent. 

There will no longer be a tipi raising in the morning. Jancita Warrington, who is of Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk descent, will instead start the day’s activities with Powwow 101, set for 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Lied Center Pavilion.

“Listen and learn both the historical and contemporary history of the powwow and dances you will see at the event,” according to the event schedule. “You will hear an overview and explanation of the event head staff and their positions, songs, Tribal dances, and the purpose of the KU powwow.”

There will be events for all ages throughout the day, including a beaded lanyard workshop and hand games with Haskell Indian Nations University’s Hand Game Club. There will also be presentations and student art showcases.

The second Grand Entry will start at 6 p.m. following supper break.

The full schedule and list of events in the Lied Center is available at this link.

Dancer registration is free and in person at the KU powwow grounds at the MC stand under tents. Check out the 2026 powwow categories and Head Staff at this link.

There will be some associated events in the coming days as part of the KU Indigenous Cultures Festival leading up to the powwow: 

• There will be a free film screening of “Chasing the Light” by Blackhorse Lowe, Navajo, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9 at the Lawrence Arts Center Auditorium, 940 New Hampshire St. Low will lead a moderated discussion after the film. 

• Nataanii Means, Oglala Lakota, Omaha and Diné, will give a free hip-hop performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 10 at the Lied Center Auditorium. 

Information on powwow etiquette and FAQs are available at this link.

Note: This post has been corrected from a previous version.

Logan Pierson (he/him), reporting intern with The Lawrence Times since December 2025, is a senior journalism and photography student at the University of Kansas. He previously contributed to the University Daily Kansan as a senior reporter and beat reporter.

Read his work for the Times here.

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