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:

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.