Media releases

• Pow Wow to bring powerful celebration of culture and tradition to Brock

  Thursday, January 08, 2026 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE — January 8, 2026 — R0001

  Underscored by the beating heart of roaring drums and stunning displays of handcrafted regalia, Pow Wow will bring a vibrant celebration of Indigenous dancing, music, art and food back to Brock University next week.

  Now in its third year, the free event takes place in the University’s Ian Beddis Gymnasium on Friday, Jan. 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

  Hosted by the Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre with support from across the University, Pow Wow is open to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, staff, faculty and members of the broader community. 

  The event, which draws thousands of people together to celebrate Indigenous cultures, will operate under the theme of “Cleansing our Spirits” this year.

  “It’s a reflection of the purpose of what pow wows are truly about, which is connecting to culture and creating a space for healing,” said Evelyn Dilworth, Event Co-ordinator at Hadiya’dagénhahs. “Our Pow Wow also connects to the symbolism of the winter season, with the snow coming to cleanse the Earth and bring a fresh start.”

  The vendor fair opens at 11 a.m., when more than 75 Indigenous crafters will share a wide selection of handmade crafts, art, jewelry and traditional food. Grand Entry, which signals the official start of the Pow Wow, begins at noon. 

  The day will feature a range of Indigenous dances by individuals of all ages, such as a Women and Men’s Smoke Dance Special with songs led by Frazer Phillips.

  A unique addition to Brock’s Pow Wow, this style of Haudenosaunee dance is fast-paced, social and story-focused. The spinning motion of the dance is often seen as emulating the curling of smoke or the chasing of smoke out of Haudenosaunee longhouses.

  The Pow Wow also features several Intertribal dances, where everyone in attendance is encouraged to join in and to dance together.  

  This year’s Pow Wow also welcomes Host Drum Charging Horse and Co-host Drum Little Creek.

  Hadiya’dagénhahs Director Cindy Biancaniello said the Pow Wow is a joyful community event that celebrates pride in Indigenous cultures and offers a positive and meaningful way to put reconciliation into action.

  “For so long there was no dancing, drumming or celebrations allowed in public spaces, so this is a way to reclaim Indigenous identity while healing and growing together,” she said. “The Pow Wow is also an exciting experience for non-Indigenous people because as soon as they walk in the door and hear the drums, they will absolutely feel the power of the event deep in their hearts.” 

   Pow wows are meaningful cultural and spiritual celebrations and attendees are encouraged to come eager to learn and participate respectfully.

   Pow Wow Master of Ceremonies Jordan Williams White-Eye and Arena Director Talon White-Eye will work together to co-ordinate the Pow Wow, including providing important guidance to attendees on when certain cultural elements are occurring and when everyone is invited to participate and take photos.

  Syerra Jasmin, Hadiya’dagénhahs Centre Operations Supervisor, said the success of the Pow Wow lies in the strength of the community it has created across the University and beyond. 

  “Pow Wow is open to everyone, and it has been wonderful to see how the community has embraced the event and been so committed to collaboratively supporting its successful execution,” she said. 

  Parking will be available in any of the paid lots on campus on the day of the event. 

  For more information, contact [email protected] or visit the Pow Wow website or Instagram and Facebook pages. 

  
  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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  Categories: Media releases

• Microsoft’s investment in Canadian AI infrastructure puts data at risk: Brock expert

  Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | By Brock University

  EXPERT ADVISORY — December 16, 2025 — R0144

  Microsoft’s recent announcement of its plan to invest $7.5 billion in Canada’s artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure over the next two years placed a strong emphasis on protecting the country’s digital sovereignty by ensuring that data is stored locally.

  But for Brock University data governance expert Blayne Haggart, this claim relies on a broad misconception of what digital sovereignty looks like.

  “In the digital space, sovereignty isn’t determined by where your data centres are located, but by which company runs the servers that make up the cloud,” says the Professor of Political Science. “Microsoft admitted in a June hearing before the French Senate that they have to follow U.S. law under the Cloud Act, which gives the U.S. the authority to obtain digital data held by U.S.-based tech companies, no matter where in the world this data is stored. Securing digital sovereignty is a promise the company can’t deliver.”

  Though any government demands for data could be fought in U.S. court, Haggart says this is no assurance of protection.

  “Even if Microsoft were to fight an honest court battle, they could lose and data would be vulnerable,” he says. “But the U.S. government can also threaten or exert pressure to make companies give up this data, as was the case with the National Security Agency’s secret surveillance later made public by Edward Snowden.”

  Haggart says all Canadians, from individual citizens and those working in the private sector to universities and governments, need to be aware they cannot rely on an American technology company’s “promise not to peek” at sensitive research, policy and proprietary data. 

  Instead, he suggests Canadians seek out or develop technology alternatives to reduce dependency on U.S. software companies. 

  While he acknowledges that it might be a difficult process, he believes investing in the development of homegrown technology and diversifying technology products would be a sensible use of government spending to ensure nationally secure digital infrastructure.  

  “We need to start developing in-house expertise and in-house systems that can replicate the functionality of what we get from Microsoft or Google and working with other companies, particularly in Europe, to build out digital services and network capacity that is more independent from the U.S. to create a true alternative,” he says. “This would be a huge challenge, but it’s not impossible.”

  Overall, Haggart says Canadians need to understand what is at stake and how their data might be used or accessed as U.S. technology companies ramp up efforts to increase adoption of AI around the world.

  “We need to have a more mature discussion about what sovereignty actually means in the digital age, and basically it comes down to control,” he says. “If you don’t control the software, you don’t control the data.”

  Haggart notes the need to improve understandings of digital regulatory policies and tech regulation is a key focus of an upcoming Digital Regulation in the Public Interest symposium taking place at Brock University in March.

  “The symposium is designed to bring together emerging and established scholars to discuss issues of digital regulation, which are becoming more and more salient, including regarding questions of digital sovereignty,” he says. “There’s a greater need for policy-makers and for all Canadians to understand them as important policy areas.”

   

  Brock University Professor of Political Science Blayne Haggart is available for media interviews on this topic.

  
  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

  *Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483 

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  Categories: Media releases