Hozhoni Days celebration back for a 46th year at Fort Lewis College

 

DURANGO, CO – The Hozhoni Days (Navajo, meaning “Days of Beauty”) celebration is one of the oldest and biggest events at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. In years past, Hozhoni Days has attracted as many as 5,000 participants and visitors from across North America.

 

This year the student organization in charge of Hozhoni Days, Wanbli Ota, has selected “Inspiring Knowledge from Traditions” as the theme for the 46^th annual Hozhoni Days Powwow and Miss Hozhoni Pageant.

 

The Miss Hozhoni Pageant is a three-day pageant consisting of public speaking (March 22), traditional food presentations (March 23), and traditional/modern talent presentations (March 24). The public speaking and traditional food presentations will take place at the Native American Center beginning at 6 p.m. The talent presentations will be in the Student Union Ballroom, also beginning at 6 p.m. The crowning of the new Miss Hozhoni will take place March 27 at the Powwow.

 

Hozhoni Days concludes on March 26 and 27 with the 46^th annual Hozhoni Days Powwow. The two-day contest Powwow brings thousands of singers, dancers and spectators to the Whalen Gymnasium Friday night at 7 p.m., Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. and Saturday night at 7 p.m.

 

The northern host drum is Meskawki Nation from Tama, IA, and the southern host drum is Cozad from Anadarko, OK, both are nationally known for their unique singing style. The master of ceremonies is Dewayne Tofpi of Albuquerque, NM. Locally, Andrew Frost of Ignacio, CO, will serve as the head gourd dancer. Bruce LeClaire will be the arena director and the head judge is Chad Avery, both are from Durango, CO.

 

In addition to the head staff, Wanbli Ota has invited the Southern California Bird Singer to come and perform during the Powwow and Wanbli Ota will also be acknowledging the graduating seniors.

 

Hozhoni Days is one event that serves to highlight and celebrate the unique history of Fort Lewis College. Fort Lewis began as a military post before it was made into an Indian boarding school. Eventually the Indian school changed into a rural high school and the land it sat on was transferred from the federal government to the state of Colorado with the agreement that Native American students would be admitted free of tuition. From that beginning, the public liberal arts college that Fort Lewis College is today was born and Native American students continue to receive their educations here tuition-free.

 

About Wanbli Ota:

Wanbli Ota is a small group of students that work hard during the academic year to produce Hozhoni Days, one of the largest events in the area. The group promotes the rich culture of Native American students at Fort Lewis College and brings cultural awareness to the community.