CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Thousands attend Conestoga Pow Wow in celebration of Indigenous cultures

Sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC), the all-day event featured drumming, singing and dancing, guest speakers and sacred fire. Conestoga is home to one of the largest Pow Wows in Waterloo Region, providing the Indigenous community with a safe space to celebrate and share their traditions with each other and the wider community.

"Indigenous People weren't always allowed to practice their culture. It's important for us to use our right to do our ceremonies," said Raven Morand, Indigenous services coordinator at Be-Dah-Bin Gamik. "It's also a great way to connect people and bring attention to the culture while also highlighting issues and paving a path to reconciliation."

Over 100 dancers came to join this year's Pow Wow on March 21. "Everyone was in a great mood all day. Our head dancers came with the best energy, so they had a lot to do with that," said Morand. The Pow Wow is one of the first of the season in the area. Many dancers follow a Pow Wow Trail, travelling from event to event across Canada and the U.S.

Morand highlighted the benefits of hosting the Pow Wow at Conestoga: "It improves access to Indigenous culture for those who live in more rural areas. Some might otherwise live too far away to access their culture." The event was also livestreamed to the public by CCDTV - Conestoga College Digital Television, further increasing access and community awareness.

The Pow Wow also featured over 80 vendors, ranging from food and information vendors to traditional crafts such as beadwork, ribbon skirts and basket weaving. The Cub Club, hosted by Anishnabeg outreach organization EarlyOn, provided a space for children and parents to do arts and crafts, play board games and rest.

Be-Dah-Bin Gamik, Indigenous Services at Conestoga, supports the success of Indigenous students through ongoing services that assist in successful transitions to college life and connections to cultural traditions. Be-Dah-Bin Gamik also engages the broader college community through the development of resources, activities and events that build broader understandings of Indigenous Peoples and cultures while promoting the reconciliation process.