Mckenzie Ottereyes Eagle of Waswanipi, Quebec, and Nbisiing Secondary School student takes part in the Ninth Annual Welcome Powwow at Nipissing University and Canadore College on Friday. PHOTO BY LIAM BERTI
The deep and distinct beat of traditional aboriginal drums and the echoing sounds of the Red Hawk Singers resonated across Nipissing University campus on Friday, attracting faculty, students and community members to the Ninth Annual Welcome Powwow.
Even amongst the large number of grand entry dancers, the luminous regalia of the traditional singers and dancers created a kaleidoscopic setting next to the school’s Education Centre Pond.
A variety of different groups joined in on the ceremony, which set out to celebrate and share aboriginal culture while also acknowledging the diversity and wealth of all Nations who attend the two schools.
“It gives all the students a strong sense of welcoming,” said Crystal Clark-Mcgregor, student representative of Canadore College’s First Peoples’ Centre. “If they come out, they can see aboriginal culture and what it means to us, and it’s good to see a lot of students come out and participate and even get into the intertribal dances.”
Between the two post-secondary institutions there are upwards of 650 First Nation, Inuit and Métis students enrolled in courses. According to Nipissing University’s Office of Aboriginal Initiatives and Canadore College’s First Peoples’ Centre, who organized and presented the event, some of those students travel from as far away as Alberta, James Bay and Northern Quebec.
Gerard Peltier, recruitment and retention officer of Canadore’s First Peoples’ Centre, was quick to call attention to the students who put in a lot of effort for the event, praising them for their far-reaching effort to include as many people as they could in the celebration.
“These institutions have made immense progress in terms of welcoming native students from across the region,” added Tyson Wesley, a third-year political science student at Nipissing and student representative for the university during the ceremony. “It’s a great honour to be here and for Nipissing to be so open in providing the land and being involved in the school also.
“Nipissing First Nation has a lot of foresight and also understands that the institution is trying to get people to come in so they can give them the tools to create a future for themselves.”
Dancing, singing and socializing were all integral aspects of the deep-rooted storytelling aspect of the ceremony, while the master of ceremonies helped explain the meaning behind the songs and dances, keeping people informed along the way.
Those who attended were also treated to free traditional aboriginal food inside the school cafeteria.
“The unique thing here is that we have both schools being together,” said Chantelle Rienguette, second-year student at Canadore College and a member of the Canadore Aboriginal Student Association. “It’s a great way to welcome everybody and show everyone who we are.”
Over 20 singers and dancers officially registered to take part in the ceremony, but many more joined in on the communal dances.
“It’s such a good time to welcome people back into our territory. To the new ones that are coming, you are standing on Nipissing traditional lands; it’s true, despite what they tell you,” said Nipissing First Nation Chief Marianna Couchie. “It’s a time to celebrate; it’s a new year, a new beginning, and for others it’s the continuing of your education.”
