Alumni Events
Virtual nehiyawewin Bingo: Native Studies Alumni
Date: March 21, 2023
Time: 6:00 - 8:00pm
Location: Pembina Hall
Registration: Please register you and your guests (max of two guests per Alumni) by March 20, 2023.
Costs: None
Description:
āstam = come
mētawē = play
cahkatahiketân = Let's play bingo
Refreshen those nehiyawewin (Cree language) skills with some friendly, traditional competition of BINGO! The Faculty of Native Studies is excited to host their annual Alumni event.
Translations & pronunciation support will be provided by the amazing Dorothy Thunder, our language keeper & professional bingo player/caller. It's all in good fun :) And an opportunity to reconnect with our community through the means of language, laughter and family.
There will be many prizes to win, including Native Studies clothing, UAlberta merchandise, and gift cards to Alumni owned establishments.
This event is open to all Native Studies alumni and their guests.
Contact:
Faculty of Native Studies
Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator
Jade Tootoosis | jade.tootoosis@ualberta.ca
Let’s Powwow with the Faculty of Native Studies!
Date: September 21 - 27th, 2020
Description:
We welcome all alumni and their families to join the Faculty of Native Studies for a Powwow! A powwow is a First Nations’ style of gathering in community, healing, and celebration! Learn about the women’s and men’s Fancy dance styles, stories of their outfits, and choreograph your own powwow dance steps! This event features an open blessing with Elder Francis Whiskeyjack and a live dance demonstration and drumming. All ages are encouraged.
Presenter Bios:
Elder: Francis WhiskeyJack is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation. He has dedicated his life to serving others and has committed himself to the principle of lifelong learning. He is passionate about sharing traditional knowledge and teachings, providing counsel and mentorship, and promoting awareness and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. As a traditional person, Elder Whiskeyjack strives to walk a balanced, holistic path and live by the teachings handed down to him from his Elders, namely the late Joe P. Cardinal. He is fluent in nehiyawewin (Plains Cree) language and promotes learning and retaining the nehiyawewin language. He is a Residential school survivor, an accomplished artist, a musician, and cultural teacher. Francis’ extensive knowledge about the Medicine Wheel, Indigenous Culture and history, and traditional holistic healing techniques have cast him as a reputable, trusted Elder by many in education and health institutes. In 2019, Francis received an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of Alberta and is an appointed Adjunct Professor.
Dance Instructor: Jade Brown-Tootoosis is a nehiyaw iskwew from the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Treaty Six territory. She is a 2010 University of Alberta Alumnus in which she achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native Studies and a Certificate in Indigenous Governance & Partnership. Jade has been dancing Fancy Shawl for over 30 years and has travelled to powwows all across Turtle Island (North America). She loves to share the knowledge, experience and joy she has in her culture. Dancing has instilled a strength, courage and confidence in Jade with all that she does in life. She hopes to inspire younger generations to be proud of who they are and stand up for what they believe in.
Dance Instructor: Tyson Frencheater is from the Sunchild First Nation. He is of the Anishnaabe and Cree descent. He convocated in the spring of 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Native Studies and a Certificate in Aboriginal Sport & Recreation. His passion is dancing and teaching, and he very much enjoys helping others learn. During Tyson’s time as a student at the University of Alberta, he dreamt everyday of dancing as it was a positive outlet that took all the stress of being a student away. He has been dancing the men’s fancy feather bustle style for 5 years and looks forward to dancing everyday.
Drummer: Lyle Tootoosis is from the Poundmaker Cree Nation. He has learned and practiced the values of his Cree Culture with his older brothers going to different ceremonies growing up. He now travels all over Canada and the United States to participate in pow wows and round dances. He has been singing for over 30 years with notable drum groups as Poundmaker, Blackstone, and YoungScouts. Lyle tries his best to be a natural role model for Indigenous youth. He currently lives in Edmonton and works at Jasper Place High school as the Aboriginal Liaison, supporting students to grow, succeed and thrive in school.
Drummer: Colin Raine is from the Louis Bull Tribe. He has been singing for about 10 years and is currently a singer with the Bullhorn drumgroup from the Blood Tribe. He’s had a lot of support and teachers along the way whose encouragement keeps him going. Singing helps balance things out and is a way of healing, it brings good feelings to be around the drum with everyone. Colin is greatly appreciative of the places the drum takes him in his travels, "if you treat the drum good and he will take you all around the world".
Youth dancer: Jayde Delorme is 7 years old. She is a member of the Blood Tribe and lives in Edmonton. Her favourite colours are pink, blue, red and white, and her favourite songs are Diamonds by Rihanna and children's rhymes. When Jayde grows up she wants to be a policewoman or a vet, and is inspired by her grandma to be a future student of the Faculty of Native Studies!
Youth dancer: Arianna Konchinew is 5 years old. She is from the Poundmaker Cree Nation and lives in Edmonton. She is a proud big sister and some of her favourite things are: chocolate, the color is pink, and the song 'the London bridge is falling down'. When Arianna grows up, she wants to be a dentist.
Contact:
Faculty of Native Studies
Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator
jnbrown@ualberta.ca
780-492-7888
Alumni Week(end): Campus to Couch Edition
It looks a bit different this year, but the U of A's annual alumni celebration is back and it’s gone digital! Find out about all the events planned for this year's alumni week[end].