AICAF’s 14th Annual Powwow for Hope returns to St. Paul, Minnesota on October 17, 2026.
Powwow for Hope is a community healing event and fundraiser that brings together Native cancer survivors, caregivers, families, healthcare partners, and Tribal communities. It creates a healing space where Native families honor loved ones, celebrate survivors, strengthen cultural connection, and build community resilience.
Cancer remains the leading cause of death for American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, and Native communities continue to face significant disparities in cancer outcomes, including later-stage diagnoses and barriers to screening and care.
Powwow for Hope meets communities where they are, through culturally grounded prevention and early detection education, survivorship support, and trusted community engagement, working toward a future where every Native family has access to the care and healing they deserve.
Help Us Make a Difference
With your support, AICAF can enhance services by
1
Strengthening
the
Survivorship
Program
to offer more
support to loved
ones facing
cancer care
packages
2
Delivering Cancer
Care Packages and
Resources
to more communities building larger
campaigns
3
Building
Larger
Campaigns
to address the cancer inequities faced by our communities
Now is the time to organize your fundraiser to help this fight against cancer. Click on the “Fundraise” button below to create a fundraising page to share with your loved ones. More information coming soon.
Please consider donating goods or services to our silent auction. For more information, please click the
button below to view our Silent Auction Form and learn how you can donate.
Powwow For Hope has several excellent volunteer opportunities available at the event. Join us and help make a difference in the fight against cancer! More information coming soon.
Honor a loved one whose life was touched by cancer with a Powwow for Hope Luminary Bag. You can create and dedicate a luminary bag to a survivor, caretaker, or in memoriam of someone who has passed away. These beautiful luminary bags are displayed during the Luminary Bag dance at Powwow for Hope.
Pink Shawls
Dance with the Pink Shawl ladies at Powwow for Hope as we honor those we have lost, honor survivors, and increase awareness about cancer burdens in Indian Country. Community champions created Pink Shawls to help educate Native women about the importance of breast health and early cancer detection while allowing community members to make their own. Pink Shawls are typically worn at community events to symbolize the many Native warriors who have survived the cancer journey.
Jingle Dress Healing Song
This dance is a spiritual practice and the jingling sound from the dress is said to represent healing energy. Dancers may move in a way that evokes shaking illnesses away or bringing in positive energy.