Troy Shantz
Expect the 25th annual Lambton College Pow Wow to pack a lot more “Wow” this year.
“When we realized that it would coincide with the 50th anniversary of Lambton College, and then of course the 150th anniversary of Canada, we thought this was the perfect time to really amp it up,” said Jane Manning, manager of aboriginal education at Lambton.
The Pow Wow is hosted by the Aboriginal Student Council and Aboriginal Cultural &Learning Centre as a way for students and the wider community to celebrate indigenous culture, crafts and food.
The event is expanding from the usual half day to three days, April 7 – 9, and moving to a larger venue at Clearwater Arena.
Day One will offer high school students a chance to learn more about native culture.
Day Two begins with the Grand Entry.
“Grand Entry is a really powerful moment of the Pow Wow, and everyone comes into that dance circle,” Manning said.
“It’s just a true and powerful representation of the indigenous people of North America.”
The event showcases men and women dances, from traditional to contemporary, and tots to elders, said Lorna Chrysler, an Aboriginal Student Council member and business administration student.
“It pretty much gives you an overview of all the different types of dances and dancers.”
Chrysler, originally from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, said Pow Wows are a way to reconnect.
“They bring us all together, because a lot of our members live on different reserves or different parts of the country.”
The college Pow Wow began the same year as the Aboriginal Cultural & Learning Centre. Manning said it’s a “home away from home” for 192 indigenous students at Lambton, with most drawn from Aamjiwnaang, Walpole Island and Kettle and Stony Point.
“It’s also a terrific resource for non-indigenous people who want to learn more about indigenous culture,” she said.