College may make powwow an annual tradition at campus

After a 10-year absence at Confederation College, it appears a powwow could become an annual tradition at the Thunder Bay school.

“I certainly hope so,” said Bobby Jo Chenier, the Aboriginal student navigator and cultural lead at the college.

“I think if anything, it could really grow. We’ve had a lot of interest in different areas and it’s something to think about, that we could build on. It’s part of why we did it at this time of year. We wanted to make sure students knew who we are, what we have so we can build on it throughout the year as well.”

The event was the closing to a successful Aboriginal Awareness week at the college, which included a flag raising on Monday for Louis Riel Day and several cultural events throughout the school week.

It was a great way to share cultures, Chenier said.

But it also helps Aboriginal students feel welcome, not only at the college, but in the community as well, she said.

“What we try to do is we try to make people feel comfortable and feel like it’s a safe environment and a welcoming environment. The idea behind doing this is to increase that sense of pride of who you are and sense of belonging into the community as a whole,” Chenier said.
Ashley Nurmela, a second-year native child and family services student, said the pow wow and cultural dance celebration is all about being more inclusive.

“We were trying to get everyone to come and dance,” she said.

“For the non-native community it brings an understanding for the traditions of our culture. It’s not just we want to get up and dance and have fun. It has meaning. Everything has different meanings. As well, for Aboriginal people in the college especially, it brings them acceptance and it allows us to feel more welcome than usual. And we love when everybody takes part in everything.”

Nurmela said it also helps break down barriers.