Local school celebrates Indigenous Day with annual mini-Pow Wow

G. C. Huston Public School in Southampton held a special mini-Pow Wow on Indigenous Peoples’ Day June 21st, also the Summer Solstice.

Students in regalia danced and drummed at the assembly where many parents and members of the community took in the celebration.

                      Student dancers wait their turn to perform

G. C. Huston school has long been taking part in an extensive program around reconciliation with First Nations peoples.

With approximately half the students in the school from Saugeen First Nation, students both Indigenous and non-Indigenous have the opportunity to learn the Ojibwa language and culture which includes drumming and dance. There are several dancers who have been practicing four dances twice a week, including one boy student.

At one time, only men over the age of 50 were allowed to dance Pow Wow.  Today however, all ages are encouraged as well as women who have developed the jingle and shawl dances to an art form and who now take part in Pow Wow dancing.

Recently, the school was named a Legacy School by the Downie-Wenjack Foundation for its inclusiveness and promoting inter-cultural learning.