Eleven men sat crowded around a drum at 6:55 p.m. Friday while the steady beat echoed throughout Hec Edmundson Pavilion. A string of voices joined the beat as the group sounded off prematurely, anticipating the opening "grand entry" of the 36th First Nations at the UW Spring Powwow.

More than a dozen other groups waited in folding chairs around drums, set up around the main floor of the pavilion. The powwow attracted people from all over North America, including musicians and dancers. They all waited for the dancers and flag bearers to be in place to begin the grand entry, which started with a dancing procession of people dressed in regalia, from earth tones to bright neon colors, the flag bearers leading.

An opening prayer was said, following a moment of silence for prisoners of war and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After an introductory song from each host band and opening remarks, the events began.

Singing, dancing and drumming competitions took place over the course of the weekend. Additionally, there were four grand entries, including the opening grand entry and a coastal grand entry. The coastal grand entry was to honor coastal peoples and acknowledge the use of coastal land.

During the weekend, there were also intertribal and social dances in which all people were invited to the floor to dance, regardless of origin.

"Feel free to come down and dance as the spirits move you," Master of Ceremonies Rod Hunter urged the audience.

Vendors packed the corridor selling a variety of goods, with everything from cornhusk sculptures and face painting to intricate jewelry and bumper stickers, some reading "FBI: Full Blood Indian."

"We enjoy doing them," said jewelry vendor Vita Seciwa, referring to the powwows.

While some came for the shopping, others came from far and wide for the music competitions. One of the First Nations Spring Powwow's signature features is the one-man drum competition.

"It's probably one of the best around," said Andre Picard, a musician and former UW student who emceed the event.

One of the powwow's last events, the hand drum contest, was a crowd favorite. Hec Ed filled with cheers as the crowd demanded an encore performance from the final winner.

"You don't know how beautiful you are," President of First Nations Mona Daniels said as she thanked the crowd for attending yesterday.

After Daniels' comments, a song was played to honor the committee of 12 UW students responsible for planning the event. As the students circled the main floor, everyone in the arena stood respectfully. After the song, the group was met by audience members who shook their hands in gratitude.

Many were thankful for the continuing success of the powwow.

"I remember coming here when I was a kid," Picard said. "I came to school here to be a part of this powwow."

Others enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the event.

"I feel like there's a lot of misrepresentation of the culture and it's really cool to be exposed to it," said Keli Fujioka, a second year powwow volunteer and Seattle resident.

Reach reporter Kass Bessert at news@thedaily.washington.edu.