Northern College hosts powwow in Timmins

Northern College held its 12th annual powwow at its Porcupine campus on April 6 and 7.
The theme for this year’s powwow was Honouring our Mother Earth.
The powwow offered a weekend of traditional drumming, dancing, arts and crafts, workshops and educational booths.
“Cultural events are one of the many ways we realize our strategic direction of Aboriginal Perspectives and are an integral part of the Northern College experience,” said Northern College president Fred Gibbons in a release. “Segregation of different cultural educational concepts is an antiquated approach and does not speak to the ever increasing need for diversity and understanding. All members of the community are welcome to share in what has become a much anticipated annual highlight at Northern College.”
David Faries of Moose Cree First Nation emceed the event, along with Grandmother Roberta Oshkawbewisens, Grandfather Robert Bigtrack and Arena Director Gerald Chum.
The host drum was Chickeney Creek of Attawapiskat along with co-hosts Highridge Singers of Moose Factory. Mariette Sutherland and Tim McGregor were the head dancers, joined by youth lead dancers Tasheena Sarazin and Gordon Hookimaw, child lead dancers Miyopin Cheecho and Little Bear Babin, and two-time World Hoop Champion Lisa Odjig.