UTM Indigenous Centre hosts All-Nations Powwow
Director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives Tee Duke shares insights into this year’s Powwow.
On September 28, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Indigenous Centre hosted its second All-Nations Powwow, a day packed with traditional Indigenous ceremonies, singing, dancing and more.
According to the UTM website, “A Powwow is an Indigenous social celebration where community members can gather and enjoy traditional singing and dancing. All community members, including non-Indigenous, are welcome and are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in what a Powwow has to offer.”
While last year’s All-Nations Powwow was hosted indoors at UTM’s Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre, this year, it was held at the campus’s North Field in front of the Maanjiwe nendamowinan building. Last year, the event had a turnout of an estimated 1,500 visitors.
In an interview with The Medium, Tee Duke, Director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at UTM, says this year featured some differences in “music and dance style among nations.”
The event featured numerous events and activities, with the day starting with the Grand Entry Ceremony and Opening Remarks, followed by the main events, which included Intertribal, Spot and Exhibition Dances first at 1 p.m. and again at 4 p.m.
Duke stated that all community members were welcome and encouraged to attend and participate in the Powwow. People attending the Powwow for the first time were encouraged to watch a webinar on the traditional protocols of Powwows in a YouTube video led by the Powwow’s head dancer, Deanne Hupfield, titled “Powwow Protocols & Etiquette Workshop.”
One important thing to note when attending Powwows is to use the correct terminology when it comes to clothing, for example, the correct term for a Powwow dancer’s clothing is “regalia” and not “costume.”
Other examples of proper etiquette, according to the UTM website, include asking permission before taking photos of dancers and not touching any Eagle Feathers or regalia that have fallen on the ground, as these items are sacred. Instead, attendees should inform the arena director or a dancer.
The powwow also featured two dance competitions, which were sponsored by the UTM Indigenous Centre. The Men’s Traditional Dance Special was held at 2 p.m. and the Jingle Dress Dance Special an hour later—the latter of which was also sponsored by the Indigenous Creation Studio. Prizes ranged from C$100 to C$1,000, along with some jackets.
The Powwow also hosted a marketplace which allowed attendees to support local, Indigenous-run businesses. Vendors at the marketplace sold a variety of goods including jams and preserves, clothing, traditional accessories, beaded work and wellness products.
The Powwow concluded with the Retiring of Flags, Closing Ceremony and Travelling Song.
