The Dartmouth Experience: Sydney and Brooke's Stories
May 2025 edition of the DCF student-produced vlog
Welcome to the May 2025 edition of the Dartmouth College Fund’s student-produced vlog! In this video, Sydney ’25, an anthropology major, and Brooke ’26, a neuroscience major on the pre-health track, share their experiences as co-chairs of the Dartmouth Powwow.
Sydney and Brooke offer a behind-the-scenes look at organizing one of Dartmouth’s oldest and most meaningful traditions. The Dartmouth Powwow, now in its 53rd year, brings together students, alumni, staff, and the wider community to celebrate Native American and Indigenous culture. Both co-chairs reflect on the sense of belonging and connection the Powwow fosters—not just for Indigenous students, but for the entire Dartmouth community.
They discuss the hard work, dedication, and teamwork that go into planning such a large event, and how they’ve grown through the process. Most importantly, they share how the Powwow embodies Dartmouth’s commitment to inclusion, tradition, and community.
Watch the full video to learn more about Sydney and Brooke’s journeys and the impact of the Dartmouth Powwow on campus life.
Full Video Transcript
Hi, my name is Sydney and I am a 25 at Dartmouth. I major in anthropology, minoring in human-centered design, and also Native American indigenous studies. I am the Dartmouth Powwow co-chair.
Hi, my name is Brooke. I'm a 26. I'm from Massachusetts and I'm majoring in neuroscience on the pre-health track. I currently serve as one of the co-chairs of the Dartmouth Powwow alongside my fellow co-chair Sydney.
The Dartmouth Powwow is an event that we put on once a year. This year it's the 53rd annual Dartmouth Powwow. It's a large community gathering where people are able to experience home and culture and able to really come together and celebrate.
Especially with the history of what this institution was founded for, and what its charter is and the returning to that charter. So it's a really nice experience for all of the indigenous students, alumni, staff, and community members as well.
Before I started going to Dartmouth, I didn't know too much about what putting on a Powwow really entailed. I'd grown up going to them, but never running them or doing the behind-the-scenes logistics. So, being able to run one, I was really surprised about just how long of a commitment it is and just how much hard work and dedication come into planning an event so large as this is--the second largest Powwow on the East Coast, so a lot of time, energy, and effort goes into it.
The Dartmouth Powwow is really important to me because it just shows how Dartmouth has dedicated themselves to the Native American community and to supporting us.
Part of the reason I came to Dartmouth was for the Native American and indigenous community here, and I started working on the Powwow as soon as I got to Dartmouth, my freshman fall. So seeing that grow as I've grown at Dartmouth has meant a lot to me as well.
You don't need to be Native American to be involved in the Dartmouth Powwow and to experience it. Really, anyone can come and experience it and enjoy the community around us.
Thank you so much for donating. If it wasn't for generous donations like yours, I wouldn't be able to sit here today. So thank you so much.