{"id":90340,"date":"2024-01-19T17:19:59","date_gmt":"2024-01-19T22:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=90340"},"modified":"2024-05-29T16:12:35","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T20:12:35","slug":"gallery-pow-wow-welcomes-hundreds-to-celebrate-togetherness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2024\/01\/gallery-pow-wow-welcomes-hundreds-to-celebrate-togetherness\/","title":{"rendered":"GALLERY: Pow Wow welcomes hundreds to celebrate togetherness"},"content":{"rendered":"

The thunder of drums roaring through the air was a welcoming call inviting people from all nations to gather together at Brock University Friday, Jan. 19.<\/p>\n

Hundreds of people packed into Ian Beddis Gymnasium to take part in a Pow Wow hosted by Brock\u2019s Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs First Nations, M\u00e9tis and Inuit Student Centre, and the Office of the Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement.<\/p>\n

The gathering began with a grand entry that welcomed Elders, veterans, Brock leaders, dignitaries and dancers in traditional regalia, followed by alumna and Head Dancer Kendra Jessie Rosychuk (BSM \u201921) inviting attendees to the floor as the sound of traditional songs and drums flowed through the gym.<\/p>\n

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A Pow Wow hosted by Brock\u2019s Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs First Nations, M\u00e9tis and Inuit Student Centre welcomed hundreds of dancers, drummers and community members to the University\u2019s Ian Beddis Gymnasium on Friday, Jan. 19.<\/p><\/div>\n

While music and dance were among the highlights of the day, the Pow Wow also featured a vendor fair of Indigenous entrepreneurs and speeches from Brock\u2019s Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois and President Lesley Rigg.<\/p>\n

The event was James Gowland\u2019s first Pow Wow. The fourth-year Medical Sciences student said seeing so many people in attendance, including roommates and familiar faces he had invited from his classes, was an emotional experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an Indigenous student, I feel a sense of community seeing everyone coming out and supporting us,\u201d he said. \u201cEvents like this have helped me to become more comfortable in my own identity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gowland also works as a student staff member in Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs and said the efforts of the centre to create a welcoming and inclusive event were seen by all in attendance.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo have an event right here at Brock that celebrates and focuses on the positive of bringing people together is good for everyone,\u201d he said. \u201cIt also shows our Indigenous students and community members that we have a place here and we are celebrated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hadiya\u2019dag\u00e9nhahs Event Co-ordinator Willow Shawanoo-Kechego said the participation from so many community partners was particularly inspiring.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think watching all of our nations come together in our Indigenous community is rewarding for me and for our students to see the support they have, not just from within our walls but also beyond them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

As she gazed upon the smiling faces of the dancers, drummers and friends from near and far, Shawanoo-Kechego said the Pow Wow\u2019s legacy would be felt for years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis event will have a lasting impact on our next seven generations, planting seeds and honouring students yesterday, today and tomorrow,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\t