Students, staff and Niagara residents are invited to start their school year off to the beat of a different drum.

The Student Justice Centre is hosting a powwow on Friday, Sept. 7 in Jubilee Court to celebrate the fall harvest in partnership with the Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education, Aboriginal Student Services and Brock University Students’ Union.

The event will feature inter-tribal drumming and dance demonstrations, and opportunities for audience members to participate in traditional dancing.

“It’s a gathering to celebrate life and be thankful as well as to hang out with old friends and make new ones,” said Adrienne Smoke, a third-year drama student, who came up with the idea for the event. “Powwows are about sharing our culture to help educate people about the current native people not the ancient ones we read about in old outdated textbooks.”

This free event also features a barbecue, vegetarian options and samples of traditional food, such as three sisters soup, corn bread and strawberry juice. The Brock farmers market will also be held during the powwow.

Doors open at 10 a.m. with the grand entry happening at noon. Closing ceremonies are at 3:30 p.m.

For more information or to participate as a dancer, drummer or vendor, email the Student Justice Centre, visit them online or call 905-688-5550, ext. 6325.