Skip To Main Content

Squalicum High School NASU hosts first student-organized pow wow 

In the foreground, several %22Elder Vendor Parking%22 signs are scattered on the floor, while in the background, students are gathered around a whiteboard in a classroom.
A man in a distinctive hat and vest stands at a table displaying jewelry and hats, with a gymnasium and spectators in the background.
Four young women and a child stand in front of a pink-draped area with a %22Kids Corner%22 banner and balloons overhead, against a backdrop of a cinder block wall.
Two young women, one in casual attire and the other in a red dress, stand in a hallway with lockers and trophies visible in the background.
A young man in a black t-shirt and pants stands at a table with snacks and drinks, while two young people behind the table smile at him, and a hallway with doors and posters is visible in the background.
Three young people stand in a gymnasium with a basketball court visible in the background.
A group of young people, some in traditional attire, pose for a photo on bleachers.
A group of Native American youth stand in traditional attire on a polished wooden floor, with a backdrop of a large banner and American flag.
People browse stalls set up on a basketball court, with bleachers and a gymnasium wall visible in the background.
People in traditional attire gather on the bleachers and floor of a gymnasium with a basketball court and %22STORM%22 banner in the background.
A group of young people, some in traditional attire, pose for a photo on bleachers.
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Leaders, collaborators and team players
Squalicum High School NASU hosts first student-organized pow wow 

Squalicum High School’s Native American Student Union (NASU) realized a dream and achieved a goal by hosting the “Children of the Earth Pow Wow: A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Tradition” on campus at SQHS, Saturday, April 25. 

A pow wow is “a cultural gathering celebrating Indigenous heritage through dancing and regalia, drum groups and singing, and honoring ceremonies,” the club’s event program stated. 

This event is believed to be the first high-school-student-organized pow wow in Bellingham Public Schools.   

“We hope to see the [SQHS] pow wow turn into something bigger every single year,” the emcee Mike Sanchez said as he kicked off the program. 

The all-day event featured grand entrances, drumming with host drum the 206 Singers, singing, dancing and regalia representing a wide range of Native American nations, traditions and practices.  

NASU president Betty Canete was proud of how many people attended the pow wow, and the chance to openly share Indigenous traditions and teachings, sometimes to those for whom the event was a new experience. 

“When people walked in the door, I would ask them if they had been to a pow wow before,” Canete said. “The amount of people who said no was astonishing.” 

Canete noted that Squalicum and the city of Bellingham occupy the land of the Nooksack and Lummi Nations.  

“As a Native American individual, I believe we should be able to openly share our culture to our community,” Canete said. “Letting people see our traditions and our teachings is the way that people learn we are still here and still celebrating our culture.” 

The pow wow also included a vendor hall, a play area for kids, and a community dinner that evening sponsored in partnership with the BPS Native American Families Committee and the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation. Catering was provided by Bumatay Kitchen, a Nooksack-owned catering company with a family connection to Squalicum – the company is owned by the grandmother of the NASU vice president, Aolani Bumatay. 

NASU students spent the school year fundraising and preparing to help host this event. They were active throughout the day, wearing “Event Staff” t-shirts as they welcomed the crowd, sold concessions, checked dancer sign-ups and hosted the “Kids Corner.”  They also introduced themselves to the crowd during the grand entrance, naming their tribal affiliations and sharing their appreciation for the event.  

“I’m proud of my NASU members for making this happen,” NASU vice president Aolani Bumatay said. “Without working together and coming in during our summer to work on [planning] this event, we wouldn’t have created history.” 

Squalicum’s NASU club is advised by SQHS teacher Riley Fitchett. Fitchett is a member of Swinomish Tribe. She also provided coordination support for the BPS Native American Family Committee earlier this school year. 

Fitchett shared her appreciation for the support and teachings of her Auntie Michelle Vendiola and Cousin Michelle Vendiola, which were essential in making the event possible for Squalicum and the NASU club.  

Pow wows are a tradition in several local institutions of higher education. Northwest Indian College hosted its annual pow wow and coastal jam April 17 and 18, which “celebrates culture, community, and tradition through singing, dancing and shared connection,” the event webpage said. On May 15 and 16, the Western Washington University NASU will host its annual pow wow on campus at Carver Gym.

 

 

  • Home Gallery
  • Squalicum High School
  • Students and Families in Action