First Nations culture, ceremony shine at LUNSA powwow

Superior Morning5:05LU Powwow

The Lakehead University Native Students Association held their annual powwow this past weekend. It's become a huge event.

Truth and reconciliation wereat the heart of ceremonies featured at the annual powwow put on by the Lakehead University Native Students Association.

The three day celebration took place at the C.J. Saunders Field House. It featured many aspects of aboriginal culture such asdrumming, dancing and giving thanks. Vendors were also on hand to sell traditional merchandise.

The event is in its 28th year, and has grown steadily, said Douglas Gagnon, the Native students association's vice president.

"They used to hold this event at the agora," he said. "To what you see today .... it's really growing and I look forward to the future."

The celebration is a good way to bring people together, Gagnon said, adding that it comes at a time when engagement as part of the ongoing Truth and Reconciliation process is key. The powwow also allows many aspects of traditional culture to be passed down to younger generations.

"This is why we hold events like this, or ceremonies," he continued. "We need to acknowledge the drums, the dancers, the language .... and we need to pass that down to whoever wants to learn our children, our future."

Celebrating that culture and meeting new people is a large part of the event, said Brianna Decontie, the president of the Lakehead University Native Students Association.

"We're here to celebrate with our friends and family, our traditions and our culture," she said. "We're here to dance and sing and to see new faces and make new friends."

Both organizers said most of all, they want people to leave the powwow looking forward to next year's celebration. "To keep the memories that [were] shared here throughout the weekend," Gagnon said.

"And leave here with a good feeling."