"Sometimes event promoters talk about economic impact and how a dollar invested can "turn over” several times.

For some reason that scenario came to mind as Star Yellowfish told me about the upcoming Eagles in Flight Powwow sponsored by Oklahoma City School District’s Native American Student Services. But it had nothing to do with money.

Instead, Yellowfish, the district’s director of Native American Student Services, explained how this powwow has an impact that turns over many times.

On average, there are 2,000 American Indian students enrolled in the district each year with more than 45 tribes represented. So here’s the investment: In addition to about 20 students who will dance in American Indian regalia at the powwow, another 30 to 50 will serve as volunteers.

"I think it’s important for several reasons specifically for our school district,” Yellowfish said. "It gives our department and our Indian community a chance to educate non-Indians, and especially a lot of the administrators, about their Indian students’ culture.”"

Get the Story:
Bryan Painter: Powwow has impact on Oklahoma City school district (The Oklahoman 11/15)