Two institutions join to make powwow strong

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A special event of this year's university powwow featured a local artist, Justin Wesley, who is a student in the arts program. He painted the powwow during the two days of celebration. The painting was then given away in a raffle.

Lakehead University's Native student association and Confederation College's Oshki Anishnawbeg student association held their fourth annual partnership spring powwow March 21 to 23.

The joint efforts caused the powwow attendance as well as cultural sharing to grow significantly, said Roger Wesley, Lakehead's student association president.

"We jointly advertise and work on it, as opposed to just, say, Lakehead University Native student association working on it. It has grown quite big," he said.

"It was a packed house; we had 18 drum groups; we had 60-some dancers."

Bear Creek from Sault Ste. Marie was invited as the host drum.

Roger Wesley said drum groups from many First Nation communities surrounding Thunder Bay usually just show up at the powwow. This year, the groups were Sub sii toosh, Metemizakong Anishnawbek, Ozawshkogaboo, Wildhorse, Whitefish Bay, Calvin Ottertail Traditional Drum, Little Fire, Wawatay, Thunder Mountain, Little Eagles, Chi Ma A Gaming, Mud River, Whirlwind, Misko Bines, Blackwater Creek, Oshkwa Bines, and Spiritwind.

"I think this year's powwow was a great success. We had an unbelievable turnout." He added, "I say we had at least 5,000 to 6,000 people, because it was just jam-packed there all day Saturday. . . . We had standing room only on Sunday.

"I think next year when we're setting up our plans, we might have to look for space that's bigger quite seriously."

The expenses will go up, but it will be worth it because of such success this year, he said.

"Since we've joined together, we . . . try to pool our resources so that we're able to run activities more effectively."

He said it is easier to organize activities in the partnership with the college. "Being on our own, it takes more time and resources, but being combined we seem to be helping each other."

He said the students generally feel united. "If we went independent, it would rob us of that feeling of unity. It's always been my goal to work together." He said the relationship that was built with the college over the previous years seemed to blossom this year.

The drum warm-up and round dance took place at the Lakehead University agora on March 21.

The following day, the traditional powwow took place at the university's C.J. Sanders Fieldhouse gymnasium, with special request songs and dancers. The tiny tot special dance had about 40 children dance by themselves.

A special feast cooked by volunteers took place at five o'clock. "Everybody was just amazed at what our cooks made up," Roger Wesley said. There were stews, wild rice concoctions, pastries, bannock and tea.

On the final day, Sunday, the give-away and the raffle draw were held. "We've got a bunch of gifts that've been donated through some city businesses as well as programs here at Lakehead University and we give those away to the dancers and the drum groups."

Among the prizes were paintings, blankets, clothing, shampoo and jewellery. "The kids all picked some toys," said Roger Wesley.

Kerri King from Hagersville, Ont., won Justin Wesley's painting.

The powwow specifically honored Elder Richard Lyons. "He is a respected elder in the community of Thunder Bay and surrounding First Nations. We are giving him a special honorary status this year because he has done so much for the community." He is a communicator who talks to students and young people trying to improve their lives and better themselves, Wesley said.

"He's experiencing health problems lately. We thought it would be a nice time for us to show our appreciation."

Sarah Sabourin and Albert Henderson were two ceremonial Elders. "We're celebrating students and cultures together, so we want to imply that we are not just focusing on the man or the woman, but everybody s a whole," Roger Wesley explained.

"It's an opportunity for us to celebrate our Aboriginal students here, and we like to celebrate our culture," he added.

"The community of Thunder Bay has quite a high Aboriginal population here; and we provide this powwow for an opportunity for them to be exposed to the university as well as experience the student body here."