Powwow

(Brian Knockwood, Indianbrook First Nation)

The SUB will come alive with colour, tradition and song as Dalhousie University holds its first ever powwow, or mawiomi, on Monday Oct. 25. Commemorating Mi'kmaq History Month, the event will feature traditional drumming, dancing and a noon-time feast at the Native Student Centre on campus.

Meaning "gathering or celebration," the powwow is a joyous event that is open to all.

"The powwow is meant as a welcome, as a means of prayer and also to foster a sense of community for Aboriginal students on campus. At the same time, you don't have to be aboriginal to join in; all are welcome," says Kara Paul, coordinator of the Dalhousie Aboriginal Health Sciences Initiative.

"Aboriginal culture is really Canadian culture," she says. "It's a celebration for all of us, and it is just a really fun event. Everyone always feels great after a powwow."

Traditional dishes will be served during the lunch, including moose meat and luskinakin, or bannock. Students from the Dalhousie Native Students Association and others will take part in the dancing, which can be  a form of celebration or prayer.

After the mawiomi, there will be a series of talks in the Rowe Building Monday evening called Building Bridges Between Indigenous Knowledge and University (see sidebar).

The powwow is a joint effort organized by the Dalhousie Native Students Association (DNA), Aboriginal Health Sciences Initiative, Dal's Transition Year Program and the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM). The DNA executive are: Janine Bernard of Paqtnkek First Nations, Andrew Dutchier of Tobique First Nations and Sara Swanson of the Lisigiu community.