With the energy of the drums, the dancers’ precision, the serenade of the flute and the vibrant colours of the regalia, the best way to experience a powwow is to be there.
On June 21, 2400 Camrose schoolchildren did exactly that.
They crowded into Augustana Quad for the Camrose National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations and a first-hand encounter with Indigenous cultures.
The University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus has now hosted the celebrations twice, collaborating with the Camrose Arts Society and the Battle River School Division to organize the annual event.
“It’s important that these students get to see Indigenous culture enacted, and see that it’s a vibrant, living culture — not just something that’s been talked about in class.”
— Megan Caldwell, Aboriginal Student Advisor
This year’s celebrations featured drummers from the Mountain Cree group, as well as various powwow dancers — all from Maskwacis.
Tia Lalani — Communications Coordinator, Augustana Campus
Tia is the communications coordinator for the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus, where she did her undergraduate degree in English. After completing an MA, also in English, at the University of Alberta’s North campus, she attended the Publishing Institute at New York University before returning to her alma mater in Camrose. Tia loves reading, writing, and feigning photography skills.