For Crystal Recollet, powwows are a family affair.
The 24-year-old said she's danced in powwows for as long as she can remember, but this is her first year at MSU's Pow-Wow of Love.
Recollet crafted a yellow-beaded headband for her friend's son as she explained her family's involvement with powwows.
"My sister's here, my cousin's here, my nephew's here," she said. "All of our family traveled and met up at the same time, so it worked out very well."
MSU's North American Indigenous Student Organization, or NAISO, presented the 23rd annual powwow this weekend at Jenison Field House. The event brought in hundreds of people from the United States and Canada.
Recollet hopes her 3-year-old son, Wassnodeh, will follow in her footsteps.
"In our culture, as soon as the child can start walking, they're traveling," she said. "We train them into wanting to dance, because it's really a part of their life.
"(Wassnodeh) has been doing a lot — this is his second year dancing. I hope that he keeps going."
The Pow-Wow of Love works on a $40,000 budget and NAISO members begin planning the event in September, social work senior and NAISO member Emily Sorroche said.
She said this year, NAISO asked all university departments for a donation.
"It's fun organizing, as stressful as it is, but it's all worth it in the end," she said.
Dozens of dancers wore feathers, vibrant fabrics and intricate beadwork as they flowed onto the dance floor. About a dozen vendors sold American Indian art and food, as families and students came together to get a taste of the culture.
Family community services senior and fellow NAISO member Elizabeth Guerrero said rhythm is essential to the event.
"Without the drum, there is no powwow," she said.
Patti Womack and her husband, Chuck, have been vendors at the event for the past three years.
"I love the energy here," Womack said. "We love it. During the summer, you can find a powwow every weekend. To look at the regalia, the beadwork is awesome. It's incredible."
She added that powwows give her a chance to reunite with old friends and make new ones.
"Whenever we get together, it's like getting together with family," Womack said. "Powwows are so diverse. In the summer, every weekend I'll meet one or two people that just touch me — make a big impact. Everybody has a story. It's very interesting."
