Over 3,000 people attended the 4th
Annual Powwow for Hope: Dancing for Life, Love & Hope on May 2 in
Minneapolis.
The Native American community event
raised over $70,000 to help prevent and fight cancer. The American
Indian Cancer Foundation is honored by all the contributions that
made the 2015 Powwow for Hope a huge success.
Powwow for Hope
activities included: an outdoor lacrosse clinic for the youth, rock
climbing, tours of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community mobile
mammography unit, survivor and caregiver specials, a presentation by
Make a Wish Foundation and a jingle dress healing song.
Powwow
for Hope teams played a dynamic role in fundraising for this event. A
total of 34 teams raised $35,182.50. The American Indian Cancer
Foundation acknowledges and appreciates each and every one of the
Powwow for Hope teams.
Special recognition to the top
fundraising teams:
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Top Overall and Top Family: Team
Rivera, $4,908.00
-
Top Organization: DIW (Division of
Indian Work) – Two Steppers, $3,390.00
-
Top School: American Indian Magnet
School, $1,872.98
-
Top Individual: Ivy Vainio,
$1,810.00
Vaino’s team was formed in memory of
her great uncle, Mally Mercer. He was a proud member of the Grand
Portage Band of Ojibwe and a Korean War Veteran. Vaino had a very
creative approach to her fundraising efforts by offering her
specially made dream catchers and prints of her beautiful
photographs.
The American Indian Magnet School
students were very creative with their fundraising techniques. They
fundraised by posting video challenges and making their own crafts
and selling their items at the Powwow for Hope. They also donated
many items to our Silent Auction.
The DIW Two Steppers gave the youth
within their program an opportunity to volunteer and help others.
Throughout the year, they made crafts with Hope Flanagan. Both staff
and youth donated their crafts to the Powwow for Hope. The youth
began their pledges two months prior to the Powwow and danced the
entire day.
The Powwow for Hope has become an
annual event that motivates the community to be more aware of cancer
risk factors, prevention and general awareness. It is also a time to
come together and create a place of healing.
