The Fifth Annual Four Sacred Colours Pow Wow took place on April 6 at Waterfront campus. Put on by the Sahkitcheway Aboriginal Student Association, the Pow Wow was packed with dancers, drummers, Elders and many children.
By Karen Nickel
Dialog Reporter
“I was here at 10 a.m setting up tables and preparing for the event. There was no one here and I was so worried about how many would come,” said Coty Zachariah, Aboriginal Constituency Representative, about the Fifth Annual Four Sacred Colours Pow Wow, which took place on April 6 at Waterfront campus.
There was no need for him to worry, the Pow Wow, which was put on by the Sahkitcheway Aboriginal Student Association, was packed with people, including dancers, drummers, Elders and many children.
The event took up the entire first floor of the recently opened Waterfront campus, which was a wonderful backdrop for the showcase of dancing, regalia and people watching. It was a family-friendly afternoon, with many generations of people in attendance.
Traditional dress met urban fashion at the annual GBC Pow Wow. Photo: Karen Nickel / The Dialog
A well attended and very creative arts and crafts table was set up for the young ones and quieter seating by the vendors selling jewellery, dream catchers and medicinal herbs was available for those who wanted a break from dancing.
George Brown College’s Elder, Pauline Shirt, began the Pow Wow with prayers and the master of ceremonies, Earl Lambert, provided the teasing, good humoured encouragement for everyone to participate. Many took part in the variety of dances that were held throughout the afternoon; with some lucky participants being rewarded by winning “spot prizes” for demonstrating their dance skills.
The lake view and direct access to the dock made it feel like it was an outdoor event when it was still too chilly to be one. Zachariah spoke about the possibility of having National Aboriginal Rights Day, June 21, at Waterfront because of the space, feel and access of the campus.
Along with the campus, the hard work of the Sahkitcheway Student Association, Elders, drummers, singers, dancers, vendors and many volunteers and participants contributed to the success of the Fifth Annual Pow Wow.
Zachariah later stated on his Facebook page, “Over 600 people came throughout the day. Dancers looked great. Drums filled the whole campus. And I got to represent the Haudenosaunee people for the first time in my life by being the flag carrier. Woot Woot!!”
