Institutions host powwows to celebrate Indigenous culture, graduates

Educational institutes across Canada hosted in-person powwows, in some cases for the first time in several years, to celebrate their Indigenous students and graduates. Lakeland College hosted an Interschool Powwow with students from schools across the region and with Lloydminster Public and Catholic school divisions. My Lloydminster Now reports that around 600 teachers and supporters attended the event, which included drumming, singing, and dancing, and conversations reflecting pride in Indigenous culture. The University of Manitoba held an in-person powwow to celebrate 415 Indigenous graduates and congratulate them on their success in the face of pandemic challenges. “The long nights in your room — classes, work, everything by yourself, and not being able to come together. This is one of the first times everybody’s been able to do that,” said Taylor Tutkaluke, who is Métis with Cree and Ojibway roots. Red River College Polytechnic also held a graduation powwow to celebrate its 170 Indigenous graduates. This year marked the largest number of Indigenous graduates in the institution’s 20-year history, and the Winnipeg Free Press says that the day was “filled with the sound of drums, sights of regalia, and the smell of Bannock.”