The protection of water was prayed for at the 11th Annual Welcome Pow Wow.
More than 200 people encircled the Welcome Pow Wow, held on the traditional territory of Nipissing First Nation, next to the Education Centre pond.
The event hosted by both Nipissing University’s Office of Aboriginal Initiatives and Canadore College’s First Peoples’ Centre is for new and returning students. Some students come from remote areas so the fun filled day with traditional Aboriginal food, music and dancing was designed to be welcoming.
Kirby Miniscum of the North Bay Indian Friendship Centre (NBIFC) was the MC for the pow wow with drumming by the North Bay Singers, Little Iron and the Poplar Singers. Skylar Hookimaw carried the staff of Nbissing Secondary School.
Lindsay Sarazin carried NBIFC Staff to honour the survivors of Indian Residential Schools.
Ismail Banderousse carried the Métis Nation flag.
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald took part in the ceremony.
In her prayers, Elder Lorraine Liberty-Whiteduck welcomed all students, especially those of different nations. She recognized the gifts from the eastern doorway and the protectors of water, “in the most southern part of our territory.”
“We must send prayers to the south,” --that from the new board president of the North Bay Indian Friendship Centre, Katherine Sarazin. She announced an initiative of the Friendship Centre to show solidarity with those fighting for water in North Dakota.
“We are inviting them to sign the Friendship Centre Flag here. We will ship the flag down to show our support, probably on Monday.“
Sarazin of the Martin Clan from the Golden area has been a long time volunteer with the centre.
After the Honour Song, Sarazin spoke of a mass student protest for the protection of water planned to take place September 30th at 5pm on the North Bay waterfront.
Nipissing University’s Provost & Vice-President Academic & Research, Harley D’entremont is pleased with the growing popularity of the Welcome Pow Wow.
“Compared to some other institutions, we were doing much of this before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It highlights what we should be doing. We have hired two new people for teachings and we are involved with pan-national projects that are Indigenous. We will be doing a lot more of what we were doing before.”
Canadore College President George Burton recently announced a five-year Indigenous Education strategy. Burton says it’s about partnerships and consultation.
“Education makes a difference in the lives of Aboriginals. We are enthused about the level of government support both provincially and federally. It doesn’t put a new focus on it but reinforces the good work done in the past that we want to build upon.”
