Hundreds of guests from Ontario and Detroit took part in Conestoga’s sixth annual Pow Wow on Saturday, February 20 at the Doon campus. The event honoured Aboriginal culture by bringing together dancers and drummers for a full day of celebration.
Participants and guests gather around the drum circle at Conestoga’s sixth annual Pow Wow.
"Pow Wows are a community social event," said Myeengun Henry, manager of Conestoga's Aboriginal Services. "The day is filled with different dance categories and there will also be an eagle feather presentation for one of our community members; it's a day where spiritual things happen."
Other activities included a grand entry that welcomed each of the visiting dancers on to the floor of the Recreation Centre’s gymnasium at once. Vendors lined the gymnasium and sold crafts and jewelry and a sacred fire burned outside the Centre. Aboriginal food was also available for guests to enjoy.
“This Pow Wow is one of the most important parts of the year for our Aboriginal students,” added Henry. “Students have been with us since September and this brings them together with their friends and families to celebrate their culture. After this they will be reenergized for exam time.”
Conestoga's Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, a Place of New Beginnings, provides services for Aboriginal students at the college. It assists students transition into college life by offering social and cultural events, traditional counselling services and an Elders-in-Residence program. For more information, visit Aboriginal Services