ASU West Pow Wow 2024: A Day of Laughter and Tradition

Описание: ASU West Pow Wow 2024!

Every time I head out with my cameras, I learn something new. My mom and I decided to leave this pow wow at the dinner break to head over to the San Carlos Apache Gold Casino Pow Wow, expecting a huge event. It was outside and really cold, and the evening session was only about two hours before it ended. I should have stayed and recorded the entire evening session at ASU West. Lesson learned—never again will I leave a pow wow halfway through. From now on, I’ll stay and record the whole day until the MC puts down the mic, as usual.

Finding the Pow Wow
If it’s your first time attending, finding the ASU West Pow Wow can be a bit tricky. The Fletcher Library is on the southeast corner of the campus. I even drew a map on Instagram showing where to park and how to walk to the pow wow! Parking is in a shaded lot south of the library, and the pow wow takes place in the grassy area just north of it. You can walk on either side of the library to get there. Parking and admission are both free, and the classic frybread is still $8. The bathrooms were nice since we used the campus facilities, although I didn’t spot a clear place to refill water. It’s ASU, so I’m sure there’s somewhere to do that!

The Event
The pow wow took place on real grass, which was nice. Some families brought their own canopies, but the sun wasn’t too harsh, so my mom opted for an umbrella to keep the sun off while she sat.

The MCs, Trevor Forster and Bobby Wilson (comedian and one of the producers of Reservation Dogs), were hilarious and full of energy! They played off each other’s jokes all day and tried relentlessly to get Emerson Frybread to bring them some frybread. Trevor later told me that another vendor brought them meals, but they never revealed who it was. Shout out to that mystery vendor! Whenever Trevor is on the mic, you know it’s like being at a pow wow with your fun uncle.

Honoring Veterans
This year, there was a special turnout of veterans, who were honored with a chance to introduce themselves, share their branch of service, and their roles. I want to take a moment to thank all veterans for their service. If you’re reading this, thank you!

This pow wow was a success, and I can’t wait to stay the full day next year! The bigger ASU Pow Wow is set for April 4th–6th, 2025. See you there!