Unique tradition

UND’s annual Time Out Week in full swing on campus, concluding with powwow April 12-13

Ashly Hanna has spent hours, days and weeks planning UND’s Time Out Week. It’s worth every minute.

“From the moment I open my laptop, I’m working on emails, contracts and details,” said Hanna, a sophomore double-majoring in criminal justice and American Indian studies and president of the Indian Studies Association. “I have to turn off my wi-fi in class so I don’t see the emails.”

Hanna is in charge of events for Time Out Week, an annual celebration of Native American culture that’s one of UND’s premier events. It culminates with the annual Wacipi Powwow on Saturday, April 13.

She’s especially excited that Miss Indian World, Taylor Susan, accepted her invitation and is coming to campus for a 1 p.m. presentation on Friday, April 12.

“Miss Indian World is such an inspiration,” Hanna said. “I thought it would be almost impossible to get her. I emailed and messaged her, and she responded. It’s huge to have her here.”

Jumping in headfirst

Hanna said that she knew Time Out Week is a lot of work, but really wanted to do it.

“I knew it was no easy task, and decided to jump in headfirst,” she said. “I took what came to me, and it came together.”

She wanted to focus on identity.

“I grew up in Longmont, Colo.,” she said. “I come from a city and most of my friends are Hispanic. I didn’t have the connection to my culture. I want to get people involved and express who they are. Identity goes beyond the stereotypes people have about Native Americans.”

Hanna, who is Hunkpapa Lakota, has enjoyed learning the Lakota language at UND and connecting with family members in Bismarck, Mandan and Ft. Yates.

“Coming to UND was a huge step,” she said. “I really like the campus. One of my favorite things about UND is that there are so many opportunities.”

She has just been accepted into a summer National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program in North Carolina, and next semester will conduct undergraduate research looking at trends in recidivism in the Native American community.

Never too busy

“There’s no such thing as being too busy,” Hanna said, adding that her favorite part about planning Time Out Week are the Indian Student Association meetings every Monday.

“We have members who each work on their passion for the project,” she said. “It’s not labor, it’s gathering.”

She also appreciates support from faculty and staff.

“Crystal Alberts (English, and director of the UND Writers Conference) is amazing,” Hanna said. “She’s been so helpful.”

Alberts returns the appreciation.

“Unless one has organized a major event – let alone a multi-day event – it is really difficult to explain the amount of time and effort involved,” Alberts said. “Yet here is Ashly Hanna, a sophomore and full-time student, taking on the direction of Time Out Week, as well as assisting with Wacipi. Ashly does have an organization committee and a number of volunteers to assist her, but ultimately, many things fall to her.”

Alberts said she’s impressed by the program.

“In her first year as director, Ashly has done an amazing job securing speakers,” Alberts said, including chef de Cuisine Brian Yazzie, of “The Sioux Chef” fame, and Dream Warriors, including Tall Paul, a group of Indigenous hip hop artists out of Minneapolis. The latter is a collaboration with UND Student Diversity & Inclusion.

“Time Out Week and Wacipi are such important events to the community of UND and beyond,” said Alberts. “It has a long, prestigious tradition and many count Time Out Week among their most meaningful memories from their time at UND. Our traditions and memories are part of what makes UND unique.”

Time Out Week and Wacipi Powwow schedule, April 9-13

All events are free except for the Sioux Chef Demonstrations, which is the price of Wilkerson’s Dining Center fee entrance ($13).  Any UND students who are interested in the Sioux Chef can sign up for a free ticket at the American Indian Center.

Tuesday, April 9

• 6 p.m. –  AISES Family Science Night, UND Memorial Union, 2nd floor, Ballroom

Wednesday, April 10

• 10 a.m. –  Opening Ceremony Prayer, Honor Song | Welcome, Memorial Union Ballroom
• 11 a.m. – Presentation by Flint Devine, “Two Spirit Identity & Healing through Artwork, Memorial Union Ballroom
• Noon – Presentation by Wendelin Hume, “Anishinaabe: Seven Lessons for Living a Good Life,” Memorial Union Ballroom
• 1 p.m. – Presentation by Chad Dahlen, “Intergenerational Perspectives on Leadership by Men of the Three Affiliated Tribes,” Memorial Union Ballroom
• 1 p.m. – Presentation by Jeff Widner, “Shared Family Care, Memorial Union Ballroom
• 3 p.m. –  Community Gathering, #MMIW Awareness Walk by Society of Indian Psychologists, Memorial Union Ballroom. Approximately 1-2 mile walk.
• 6 p.m. – Demonstration by Brian Yazzie, the Sioux Chef | Chef de Cuisine, UND Wilkerson Dining Chef’s Table (far north tables)
• 8 p.m. Fitness Class – N8V Dance Fitness by Michelle Reed, Memorial Union, Swanson Hall, Room 10 & 12 (tunnel connecting Union and Swanson)
• Thursday, April 11

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. –  Art Exhibit: Indigenous Art Work, Memorial Union Ballroom

• 10 a.m. – Presentation by Bobbi Lynn Frederick, artist, Memorial Union Ballroom
• 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Demonstration Powwow Dance Categories, Memorial Union, First Floor Marketplace
• 1 p.m. – Presentation by Athena Funk, “Tattooing as an Art Form,” Memorial Union Ballroom
• 1 p.m.  – UND School of Law Distinguished Indian Law Speaker, Chairman Mark Fox, Three Affiliated Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation, School of Law (Room TBD)
• 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Community Workshop with Michelle Reed, Beading Medallion Session, Memorial Union River Valley Room
• 6 p.m. – Fashion Show with Jessica Metcalfe, “Beyond Buckskin,” Memorial Union Ballroom

Friday, April 12

• 9 a.m. – Performance Dream Warriors with Mic Jordan, Lyla June, Tall Paul, Tanaya Winder, Memorial Union Ballroom
• 10:30 a.m. – UND American Indian Resource Fair, Memorial Union Ballroom
• 1 p.m. – Presentation by Miss Indian World Taylor Susan, Memorial Union Ballroom
• 4 p.m. – Hand Games Tournament, Memorial Union Ballroom
• 6 p.m. – Community Gathering, Terry St. John Memorial Round Dance by family and friends of Terry St. John & UNDIA/ISA, Hyslop Sports Center

Saturday, April 13

• 1 p.m. – UND Indian Association Wacipi Powwow, Grand Entry #1, Hyslop Sports Center
• 7 p.m. Grand Entry #2, Hyslop Sports Center