Niagara College’s Indigenous Education department is inviting students, employees and community members to attend a Pow Wow and Social at Brock University on January 19.

Beginning with a grand entry that welcomes Elders, veterans, dignitaries and dancers in traditional regalia, Pow Wows are an Indigenous celebration where people of all nations gather to socialize, sing and dance together.

Brock’s Pow Wow, happening from noon to 6 p.m. in the University’s Ian Beddis Gymnasium, is a free public gathering that is open to everyone. After the grand entry at noon, the event will feature the presentation of an Eagle Staff – a sacred symbol that represents traditional Indigenous culture – as well as traditional dances and songs led by the Master of Ceremonies, who will guide everyone through the event. The Pow Wow will also include a vendor fair featuring more than 50 Indigenous entrepreneurs.

NC’s Indigenous Education and Student Recruitment teams will be in attendance to connect with community members, including prospective students and their families. NC students and employees will also be volunteering at the event, which is expected to attract hundreds.

‘Honouring Alumni Social’ hosted by NC

Following the Pow Wow, NC will be hosting a Social from 7 to 9 p.m. in partnership with Brock University. All are welcome to attend the ‘Honouring Alumni Social’ that will also be held in the Ian Beddis Gymnasium.

The event is a way for Indigenous peoples to celebrate traditions and an opportunity for all participants to build community and strengthen existing bonds.

“Socials are non-ceremonial and consist of earth songs that are open to all people to attend and participate in with only some basic traditional protocols that need to be followed, such as a traditional Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving address to start and end the gathering,” said NC’s Indigenous Education and Cultural Consultant Karl Dockstader.
Guests will experience the Ol’ Mush singers, a well-respected, traditional Haudenosaunee style men’s singing society from Six Nations who will be performing at the Social.

With a theme ‘honouring our students today, tomorrow and yesterday,’ Dockstader noted that the event celebrates all Indigenous students, past, present and future, and honours their journey.

“It is important for all educational institutes – a tool once used to harm Indigenous peoples – to honour the entirety of their legacy, and to use those lessons to do things in a good way for current students, then commit to improving the future for coming students,” said Dockstader. “This theme helps honour those good intentions, and the day’s events are a way of showing our appreciation to our community, and building goodwill.”

Registration is not required to attend the Pow Wow or Social. All are welcome and are encouraged to bring family and friends to celebrate culture with the Indigenous community.

Patrons are encouraged to park at University Road West near the Walker Complex or in E lot. For those attending the Social from 7 to 9 p.m., parking is free after 6 p.m.

Indigenous Education has also organized a free shuttle from both NC campuses to get NC students to and from Brock University. The shuttle has limited availability and is first come, first served.

Shuttle schedule:

10:45 a.m. – Pick up at NC’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus NOTL (main entrance)
11:10 a.m. – Pick up at NC’s Welland Campus (main entrance)
11:30 a.m. – Drop off/ arrive at Brock University
9-9:15 p.m. – Pick up/depart Brock University
9:30 p.m. – Drop off/arrive at NC Welland Campus (main entrance)
9:50 p.m. – Drop off/arrive at NC Daniel J. Patterson Campus – NOTL (main entrance)

Contact Aria D’alimonte, Indigenous Culture and Events Coordinator, with any questions.