A huge teepee stood at the east end of the Office of Campus Recreation Saturday.

More than 4,600 people gathered at the Rec for the largest non-academic, non-athletic event on campus.

Native Americans and a gym full of people joined to celebrate their heritage at the 10th-annual NATIONS (Native Americans Together Insuring Our National Sovereignty) Powwow.

“I like it because I get to be around other Native Americans,” said NATIONS President Samuel-Louis Bandy. “I get to be around my culture.”

The event was highlighted by a huge crowd, a variety of food including Indian tacos and fry bread, vendors selling everything from jewelry to herbal medicines to bows and arrows, dancers who moved without signs of fatigue to drums that brought back memories of a rich culture and giveaways of candy, toys and blankets.

“Native Americans do all they can all year to give the items away at the powwow,” said Rita Reynolds, NATIONS faculty adviser for the event.

The event also featured much audience participation.

“Everybody dance, everybody dance,” shouted the master of ceremonies. Kids, adults and the elderly all danced to celebrate who they are, where they come from and how important their heritage is.

“It is a time to celebrate all history and all traditions and walk with tradition in a modern world,” said Meredith Larson, conference coordinator and student adviser for the powwow.

The powwow information pamphlet read, “Yo shu la,” which translates to “Let there be happiness.”

“Everybody finds a part that they like,” Reynolds said. “You will come one year and then want to keep coming back again.”

Family also was a feature of the festivities.

“If you are human, you are my relative,” Reynolds said.

Besides celebration and remembrance, the powwow also helped raise money for two to-be-determined NIU students. The students, who would put the money toward an NIU education, will be either Native Americans or those who support Native Americans.

For information on NATIONS, visit www.sa.niu.edu/nations.