UND’s 125th celebration will continue without a tradition that’s been going on for almost 40 years.

The UND Indian Association and the UND Indian Studies Association are canceling UNDIA’s 40th Annual Time Out Week activities scheduled for spring 2009 — including the powwow held annually on campus for the past 39 years.

In a press release, the group said the primary reason for the cancellation was lack of funding and involvement from the campus and community.

Fundraising for the events is a huge challenge, officials said. This year’s financial need for hosting the weeklong events is about $100,000, with $70,000 of that supporting the powwow.

The purpose of the UNDIA Time Out Week and Wacipi has been to help educate the community about the culture, traditions and diversity among American Indian tribes. The event has attracted hundreds of visitors from regional tribes.