In photos: UTM 2024 All-Nations Powwow

Photography by Nick Iwanyshyn
Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat, a hoop dancer from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island and a head dancer at the second-annual All-Nations Powwow at UTM.
Emilee Ann Pitawanakwat, a hoop dancer from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island and a head dancer at the second-annual All-Nations Powwow at UTM.

University of Toronto Mississauga welcomed hundreds of participants and attendees from as far away as Aotearoa New Zealand for its All-Nations Powwow.  

Scattered showers didn’t stop the outdoor event and its program from going ahead.  

It was the second-ever All-Nations Powwow on campus and the first to be held outdoors. The event, which took place Saturday afternoon on the north field in front of Maanjiwe nendamowinan, was free to attend and open to all.   

Scroll down for more photos and a video from the event.

Dan Secord of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Dan Secord of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. 

More than 30 dancers in regalia competed in the Traditional Men’s and Jingle Dress Dance Specials and took part in intertribal spot and exhibition dances.  

 
Celeste Pedri-Spade, an Anishinaabe scholar and artist from northwestern Ontario and a band member Lac Des Milles Lacs First Nation
Celeste Pedri-Spade.
Celeste Pedri-Spade, who is an Anishinaabe scholar and artist from northwestern Ontario and a band member Lac Des Milles Lacs First Nation, took top prize in the Jingle Dress Dance. Pedri-Spade has a PhD in visual anthropology and traveled to the All-Nations Powwow from Montreal, where she is the Associate Provost of Indigenous Initiatives at McGill University.
Members of a Māori delegation visiting from Aotearoa New Zealand demonstrated Haka, a ceremonial dance in Māori culture, for the assembled crowd.

Members of a Māori delegation visiting from Aotearoa New Zealand demonstrated Haka, a ceremonial dance in Māori culture, for the assembled crowd.  

Powwow attendees visit the vendor stalls

Outside of the dances, All-Nations Powwow attendees were invited to browse the vendor stalls, which featured a variety of canned goods and other food along with clothing, accessories and wellness products.  

Powwow attendees were invited to participate in intertribal dances

All attendees were invited to participate in intertribal dances. Intertribal dances are for all ages, backgrounds and abilities, with no set dance style. 

Members of the Manitou Mkwa Singers perform

Members of the Manitou Mkwa Singers, Juno-nominated hand-drum performers from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, were among the invited drummers in attendance.  

John Hupfield, who is Anishinaabe from Wasauksing First Nation and one of the All-Nations Powwow Head Dancers, took part in a grass dance during the event.

John Hupfield, who is Anishinaabe from Wasauksing First Nation and one of the All-Nations Powwow Head Dancers, took part in a grass dance during the event. Hupfield, who has a PhD in education from York University, has researched the roles that Powwows play within Anishinaabe contexts of education and pedagogy. 

He welcomed the chance to lead dancers and to share Powwow traditions with the UTM community.  

“It is a space to work and gather together, share and pass tradition with everyone,” he said of the All-Nations Powwow. “That’s the beautiful aspect of it and I hope it continues to grow at UTM.”   

 

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