Three drums were in attendance at the Cyril Varney Public School Powwow on May 18, where students danced, played and participated in Indigenous cultural programming for the greater part of the school day.
The guest drums were Black Bull Moose Drum, Young Thunderbird Drum and G'chi Zhebaa Noodin School Drum.
Anishinabek Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee was a special guest at the Powwow; while in attendance he spoke to the children about treaty and reconciliation.
Master of ceremonies Rihanna Osawaminiki invited all children to dance, and prizes were given to best Student/Teacher pair, among others. The teachers who won appeared thrilled when they received prizes, and kids stood up to choose their teacher-partners enthusiastically.
The Powwow is an annual event at the Nickel Centre elementary school, but for principal Jacques Mantha, this was a first.
"It is important to celebrate our cultures together," Mantha said. "We're very fortunate to have Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee present. It's my first experience with a Powwow, and it's great to see the response from our students and our staff and our guests and the parents that have come together for this."
After smudging, intertribal dancing and special dances, an Anishinaabe feast was prepared for all the children. On the menu were fried bread tacos and blanket dogs.
