The heart of the United Tribes Technical College campus comes alive this week.

Drummers, dancers, vendors and spectators gather on the field in the center of campus, around Lone Star Arena, for the 39th annual UnitedTribes International Powwow.

The grounds will be blessed today and the first grand entry is Thursday night at 7. The powwow attracts participants from across the country and the final night is the coronation of Miss Indian Nations. The dancers, drummers and singers compete in different categories for prize money.

In addition to the activities in the arena, there are cultural activities, a youth day for area school children, an intertribal summit, sports events, the Miss Indian Nations pageant and the parade.

The parade is Saturday. It draws thousands of visitors and has attracted 800 participants. Entrance fees for the powwow are $15 for the entire event or $8 per day. The parade is $35 or $50 for a judged entry.

The Intertribal summit today gives tribal leaders and tribal members an opportunity to meet and discuss issues that affect the reservations and American Indians.

During the youth day, a cultural group from northern Europe will perform. They are the Sami, who live in northern Norway, an area called Sapmi. Other performances by Sami are 9:30 p.m. on Friday and 6 and 3:30 p.m. Sunday in Lone Star Arena. The group also will appear in the powwow grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information about the powwow events, contact Sandy Erickson at serickson@uttc.edu or at 701-255-3285, ext. 1293, or visit www.uttc.edu.

Entry forms for the parade are available from parade coordinators Lorraine and Scott Davis at United Tribes Technical College, 701-255-3285, ext. 1260 or 1454, ldavis@uttc.edu or sdavis@uttc.edu.