42nd Annual UCLA Powwow
Description
About AISA
The American Indian Student Association (AISA) at UCLA is a student-led and student-funded organization built by Indigenous students, for Indigenous students and our community. American Indians represent less than 1% of the UCLA student population, giving us more of a reason to provide a community that celebrates belonging and culture.
Our Mission
AISA stands as a welcoming association open to all UCLA students. We have cultivated a robust and supportive community that nurtures American Indian, Alaskan Native, and First Nation students in their educational pursuits at UCLA. Within the Native Bruin community, students unite to advance education and cultural understanding. Together, we challenge misconceptions surrounding American Indian art, language, history, and lifestyles. Our strength lies in our diverse backgrounds; every member enriches our community with unique perspectives, fostering a vibrant environment. At AISA, we've pioneered student-led outreach initiatives tailored to empowering Native individuals in their higher education journeys. We host significant events annually, including Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration, Youth Conference/Basketball Tournament, and the UCLA Powwow.
Land Acknowledgement
We pay homage to the Gabrieleño/Tongva peoples, the original custodians of the Los Angeles Greater Basin and Southern Channel Islands, acknowledging their enduring connection to the land.
Our Story
For many of our members, AISA is more than just another organization on campus. It is where students meet people who understand their experiences, learn from one another, and stay connected to their cultures while being away from home. We create opportunities for students to grow academically and professionally, while also making space for our traditions, stories, and cultures to be shared with the larger UCLA community.
One of the biggest ways we bring our community together is through our annual UCLA Powwow. The Powwow gives Indigenous students the opportunity to come together, reconnect with culture, and share our traditions with students, families, and visitors from across the community. It is also a chance for people who may have never experienced Indigenous culture to learn, listen, and celebrate with us.
Your donation can directly help make these experiences possible. Every contribution helps AISA cover the costs of cultural events, student programs, outreach, and our 42nd Powwow gathering. Whether it helps provide supplies for an event, supports student participation, or helps us welcome more people to our Powwow, your donation helps create a space where Indigenous students can feel seen and supported.
By supporting AISA, you are not just donating to a student organization. You are investing in the students who make up our community and helping us continue a legacy of culture, connection, and tradition at UCLA.
Every donation, no matter the amount, helps us continue creating a community where Indigenous students feel supported, represented, and connected.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE UCLA FOUNDATION'S DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS FOR DONORS
Should this fund reach the campus minimum required for the establishment of an endowment or quasi-endowment, The UCLA Foundation reserves the right to convert this fund to an endowment or quasi-endowment. Please click here to learn more about how the UCLA Foundation invests and manages its endowments.
$50
3rd Place Juniors Category
Supporting the future generation of culture bearers is detrimental to the continuation of Powwow culture. Even down to the smallest prize, it can motivate the youth to continue the tradition of dancing and furthering their passion for dancing.
$100
Dinner for a Family of Dancers
Traveling to dance in a Powwow requires a great amount of money. Welcoming a dancer family with a warm meal embodies true Indigenous hospitality, giving them both the physical stamina to compete and the comforting embrace of community.
$150
Support Powwow Experience
Every song, drumbeat, and sacred movement relies on countless quiet details behind the scenes. Your gift breathes life into these essential elements, creating a powerful, welcoming space where culture thrives.
$300
Support Powwow Dancers
Dancers are the pulse of our Powwow, sharing sacred art forms through every step. Your donation ensures our dancers are nourished and deeply respected, honoring the time, heart, and spirit they bring to our student organized event.
$500
Support a Whole Dance Category
Song and dance are the living heartbeat of our people. Sponsoring an entire category directly honors the profound skill, stamina, and dedication of our competitors, motivating them to keep these traditions alive. The dance categories are Traditional, Straight, Chicken, Fancy, Jingle, and Grass.
$1,000
Help Fund T-Shirts
Our Head Staff guide the arena with wisdom, care, and cultural leadership. Providing custom t-shirts gives them a lasting token of gratitude, a meaningful piece of UCLA they can carry home in honor of their service.
$5,000
Invest in a Tradition
Your transformative gift safeguards the legacy of the UCLA Annual Powwow. You are directly building a sanctuary where students, elders, and families gather to heal, celebrate, and preserve Indigenous culture for generations to come.