Pow wow aims to raise awareness of breast cancer among Native Americans

The beating of drums and the singing of traditional Native American songs announced the opening of the final day of the  Honoring Women of the Sweet Grass pow wow in Iowa City's Upper City Park on Sunday afternoon.

Organized by Seven Feathers, a  local non-profit organization that provides programs and services to Native Americans, the goal of the pow wow was to bring the communities together and to raise awareness about breast cancer among Native American populations in the Northern Plains states.

“Native American women are four times more likely to die from cancer than other people,” Seven Feathers Executive Director Judy A. Morrison, said. “Women in our culture are taught to be modest – we want to educate them to know it's okay check themselves and go for examinations.”

The pow wow, which began with a flute concert on Friday night and was co-sponsored by the Iowa Cancer Consortium, attracted hundreds of individuals from across the nation of both Native American and non-Native American ancestry. Approximately 50-60 tribes and nations were represented throughout the event.

“It's always okay to ask questions about our culture if you're curious,” Morrison said. “You will come [to the pow wow] as a stranger and will leave as a relative.”

Morrison emphasized that attending pow wows is not only a great way to make new friends, build relations, celebrate community and learn more about Native American culture, but also raise awareness of obstacles, including health issues, being faced by Native American communities.

“We [Seven Feathers] depend on donations from events like pow wows and grants to survive,” Morrison said.

Seven Feathers is looking to host another pow wow next June in Iowa City. Individuals wishing to donate to the non-profit or find out more information about upcoming events are encouraged to visit the group's Facebook page by searching “7 Feathers.”

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