±«Óãtv

(Brian Knockwood, Indianbrook First Nation)

The SUB will come alive with colour, tradition and song as ±«Óãtv University holds its first ever powwow, or mawiomi, on Monday Oct. 25. Commemorating Mi'kmaq History Month, the event will feature traditional drumming, dancing and a noon-time feast at the Native Student Centre on campus.

Meaning "gathering or celebration," the powwow is a joyous event that is open to all.

"The powwow is meant as a welcome, as a means of prayer and also to foster a sense of community for Aboriginal students on campus. At the same time, you don't have to be aboriginal to join in; all are welcome," says Kara Paul, coordinator of the ±«Óãtv Aboriginal Health Sciences Initiative.

"Aboriginal culture is really Canadian culture," she says. "It's a celebration for all of us, and it is just a really fun event. Everyone always feels great after a powwow."

Traditional dishes will be served during the lunch, including moose meat and luskinakin, or bannock. Students from the ±«Óãtv Native Students Association and others will take part in the dancing, which can be  a form of celebration or prayer.

After the mawiomi, there will be a series of talks in the Rowe Building Monday evening called Building Bridges Between Indigenous Knowledge and University (see sidebar).

The powwow is a joint effort organized by the ±«Óãtv Native Students Association (DNA), Aboriginal Health Sciences Initiative, Dal's Transition Year Program and the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM). The DNA executive are: Janine Bernard of Paqtnkek First Nations, Andrew Dutchier of Tobique First Nations and Sara Swanson of the Lisigiu community.