Time Out Week and Wacipi (Pow Wow)

I am very pleased and excited to announce the 40^th Annual UND Indian Association (UNDIA) and Indian Studies Association (ISA) Time Out Week and Wacipi (Pow Wow) to be held at UND April 12-18, 2010.  Time Out Week and the Wacipi were originally designed and implemented over four decades ago by a small group of American Indian students attending UND who recognized a need within our campus community for a greater understanding about their heritage and cultures.  These students encouraged our entire campus community to take “Time Out” for one week each year to share in and celebrate their cultural traditions.  Today’s UNDIA and ISA students continue this tradition of education and celebration while sharing their unique talents and contributions to the state, region, and nation with our UND campus community.

The Time Out Week and Wacipi provide the campus and the Greater Grand Forks community a wealth of wonderful opportunities to participate in the culturally rich and highly informative events focused on the cultures and issues of the indigenous tribes of our state and region.  American Indians are the largest and fasting growing ethnic minority group in the state of North Dakota; therefore, I believe it is critically important and valuable for the entire University community to be exposed to the beautiful and complex tribal cultures in order to expand our knowledge of this region’s diverse population, and to develop a greater appreciation and sensitivity concerning American Indian people and cultures.

Please mark April 12-18 on your calendar and help me by promoting the events, participating and warmly welcoming our distinguished American Indian presenters, dancers, drum groups, and visitors to UND.

Thank you!
Robert O. Kelley, President