On Friday, September 13, 2024, Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members came together in celebration at TMU's 2024 Pwaaganigaawin (Pow Wow). This year's theme was "Honouring all our relations," reminding attendees of the interconnectedness of all beings (human and non-human, physical and spiritual) to be respectful and mindful of our relationship with ourselves and with others, and to consider the impact of our actions on generations to come. The Pow Wow also raised awareness of the ongoing work needed to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.
Madison Noon is Nehiyaw Iskwew (Cree woman) from the Thunderchild Cree First Nation in Saskatchewan and was one of the Adult Head Dancers at TMU's annual Pow Wow. An honour dance in which Noon completed a single round of the Pow Wow circle before other jingle dress dancers joined her celebrated her achievements as the first Nehiyaw Iskwew to complete TMU's four-year dance program, where she received a bachelor of fine arts in dance and performing arts. Noon was recently accepted into the Toronto Raptors' North Side Crew. All photographs by Nadya Kwandibens.
Before the Grand Entry, Master of Ceremonies, Bob Goulais, M'zhaakwat, migizi n'dodemun (eagle clan), of Nbisiing Anishinaabeg (Nipissing) First Nation, provided welcoming remarks, discussed the history of Pow Wow, and invited all attendees to join the for-fun and intertribal dances. He noted that Pow Wows are historic gatherings of many nations, where all are welcome.
Key moments during the 2024 Pow Wow included the jingle dress dance special led by professional dancer and choreographer Madison Noon; specials and inter-tribal dances were open to all Pow Wow attendees, such as the Potato Dance and sweetheart special; and a Chicken versus Grass dance-off hosted by Kirby Buffalo, a Plains Cree Chicken Dancer from Treaty-6 Territory in Alberta.
