Mount Vernon, WASH. –– Skagit Valley College (SVC) will host its annual powwow, “All My Relations,” May 16-17. The powwow brings together students, families, and Tribal Nations to celebrate Native American singing, drumming, dancing, food, and arts and crafts.
The powwow’s theme this year will be “Honoring Our Veterans.” All veterans are encouraged to attend. They will be acknowledged and will receive a gift.
All are welcome to this free event that will be held at the SVC Tennis Courts on the Mount Vernon campus.
Dance and drum grand entries take place at 6 p.m. on May 16, 12 p.m. on May 17.
The First Nation’s Club will be selling T-shirts, tote bags, and stickers featuring this year’s design. The logo was created by Swinomish Elder and Master Carver Kevin Paul, who also carved a new story pole that will be unveiled on Tuesday, May 19 at the SVC’s Whidbey Island Campus at its centennial celebration at 4 p.m.
Vendors will be onsite offering Indigenous art, jewelry, clothing, food, and other crafts. There will also be a raffle to support next year’s powwow.
According to Amy Gustafson, SVC Associate Dean of Student Support Programs, First Nations Club advisor, and All My Relations powwow chair, SVC’s first annual powwow was coined “All My Relations” decades ago. The First Nations Club voted to return to the original name to honor Paul and his family. Paul, an internationally renowned artist, carved both the totem pole and whale art on the Mount Vernon campus.
SVC has a long history of collaboration with its neighboring Tribal Nations, including hosting powwows, blessing ceremonies, and blanket ceremonies in previous years.
The powwow is about nurturing diversity and inclusion in our community, building relationships that honor the beauty of our differences, and celebrating all that brings us together for a common purpose.
The host drum is DoubleRunner. The head staff are Teddy Olney and Jade Louis. The arena director is Melin Kicking Woman and the MC is Randy Vendiola.
The grand entries will include grass dancers, fancy dancers, traditional dancers, and jingle dancers. There will be intertribal dances that are open to all. In addition, there will be “tiny tots” sessions for children birth to six years of age. The event will also include a kids’ corner organized by SVC’s Early Childhood Education program.
To learn more about the 2026 SVC Powwow, ‘All My Relations,” visit skagit.edu/powwow.
Media Contact Info
Marisa Pierce, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
360.416.7957
marisa.pierce@skagit.edu