North American Indian Student Organization has been working hard to bring Native heritage to campus.

The Pow-Wow of Love, an annual event presented by NAISO, will take place Feb. 10 and 11 at the Pavilion for Agiculture and Livestock Education.

Making the powwow happen has been no easy task for NAISO, which has put more than $40,000 into the occasion and some of whose members have spent up to 20 hours a week planning and organizing the event.

But the effort is well worth it, said NAISO co-president Darren Kroenke.

“This is the biggest single program that NAISO puts on and this is also the best way that we can show the MSU community what Native culture is all about,” the international relations and German senior said.

The powwow weekend will feature more than 100 dancers dressed in traditional regalia, singers and drummers from across the nation, and arts and crafts vendors selling jewelry, clothing and decorations.

Cultural foods such as fried bread, corn soup, sassafras tea, buffalo burgers and venison can also be found at the event.

The tradition not only provides a sense of community for Native Americans, but also offers awareness to those outside of Native culture, said Pat Dyer-Deckrow, MSU’s coordinator for Native American Student Affairs and NAISO adviser.

“The powwow is a celebration of seeing family and friends and it’s a way to expose others to parts of our culture,” she said. “It’s not a total immersion, but it helps to increase what you know about diverse cultures on campus.”

Kroenke said people who don’t know much about Native Americans usually associate them with powwows, but outside of stereotypes, the event can provide a truthful look at Native heritage.

“It’s Native culture at its finest and sometimes its most intimate,” he said.

But some students said the event has some seriousness to it as well.

Michaelina Magnuson, a member of the powwow’s planning committee, said there are things people should know if they have never attended a powwow.

“Be respectful of the dancers,” the family community services senior said. “Don’t touch their outfits or take their picture without asking.

“If you have questions, most of them will be appreciative if you just ask them in a respectful manner.”

Magnuson said hopes all students attend the event.

“It’s a chance to show Native youth in higher education, a chance to show the university the pride we have in our culture and it helps to eliminate stereotypes in the surrounding community,” she said

For more information, call (517) 353-7745.