RETSD presents first community powwow
Students build their own drums to play during celebration
By Jolie Toews Aug. 28, 2008 |
A group of Kildonan East Collegiate students will show off their own hand-made drums during the River East Transcona School Division’s first community powwow on April 23.
Over 20 aboriginal and non-aboriginal students spent several days making the drums with the help of an elder, who brought the materials.
“It was a gift he shared with us,” said Grade 11 student Kyle Richard.
The students soaked leather for drum skins in water for several days and then attached the skins to a wooden base.
The group also learned about aboriginal culture, such as the medicine wheel and different teachings.
“Back in the day, natives lived off the earth, so we learned about how they lived,” says Grade 12 student Jessica Carmichael, who is helping prepare for the celebration by looking for drumming and singing groups.
“I’m so excited about the powwow. I’m happy our school gets to hold it,” says Grade 11 student Steven Swampy.
The Kildonan East group is hoping it will be one of the many drumming and dancing groups participating in the powwow from across the province.
“This is a very exciting event for us. It highlights and supports the work our schools are doing in terms of teaching about aboriginal culture and it’s a way to build community with aboriginal and non-aboriginal families in the division,” says Carole Shankaruk, an aboriginal community networker in the RETSD.
The division has one of the fastest-growing aboriginal student populations in the province, with over 2,000 self-identified aboriginal students.
“The aboriginal perspective is woven into all subjects,” says Kildonan East Collegiate principal Diana Posthumus.
“The next step was about what we could do as a community to honour their culture. With the powwow, it’s a really big part of their tradition.”
A traditional feast of stew, bannock and rice pudding will be served at the celebration and aboriginal singer and host Coco Ray Stevenson will be the master of ceremonies.
The powwow will be held on April 23 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kildonan East Collegiate at 845 Concordia Ave. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
