The 16th annual Georgian College Traditional Pow Wow showcased vibrant Indigenous cultures, music and dance on Saturday, but it was also part of an effort to help end period poverty in northern Indigenous communities.
For this year’s theme, Honouring the Thirteen Moons, guests were invited to bring donations of menstrual, or moon time, products that will be sent to remote First Nations communities in northern Ontario through the Moon Time Project.
Event organizers also accepted donations of non-perishable food items for the Georgian Food Locker, an emergency food bank for students.
The annual powwow, hosted by Georgian’s Wiidookdaading Indigenous Resource Centre staff and students, celebrated traditional Indigenous culture and was open to the public.
Described by organizers as the first powwow of the season, they “look forward to reconnecting, making new friends, and reminiscing with old ones.”
Wayne Monague, 46, originally from Christian Island, has taken part in the annual powwow at the college for as long as he can remember. He is the head military veteran at the event this year.
For him, the event is “always powerful and energizing in terms of it culturally, but mostly spiritually,” he said.
There were two grand entries - one at noon and the other in the evening with music, dancing, drumming, a sacred fire, 25 Indigenous vendors, and a dinner-time feast.
Alexa Sagutcheway, 18, is a student at the college enrolled in the Indigenous community and social development program. She is also part of the school's Indigenous drumming and singing group which took part in the event on Saturday.
“My journey with my drum was a very personal one,” she said shortly after her performance.
“When I was creating it, it was a very personal and spiritual experience. I love being part of this drum group because I can connect with others and my peers.”
Greg McGregor, 66 – originally from the Whitefish River First Nation, near Manitoulin Island on the mainland – has called Barrie home for around 30 years now.
He is the director of Indigenous strategies at Georgian College, and has helped organize the annual powwow for 13 of the 16 years it has been hosted at the school.
Approximately 25 students have assisted in running the event, which saw over 2,000 people in attendance.
“It’s such an encouraging sign, with the younger generations picking up the culture, embracing the culture, and celebrating the culture, and feeling proud of the culture,” McGregor said.
“And this powwow is a way to express yourself, express your indigeneity, if you will, and it sure beats staying home and watching a little screen.
“The best part for me is seeing young people - teenagers and children - participating and just being part of a family dynamic,” he added.
“You’re bringing your own family, but you are part of a bigger family. And it’s a great time to meet friends you haven’t seen in a while - it beats weddings and funerals, right?”
