Students had fun celebrating the end of the school year and the beginning of summer at Niibin niimi'idim, the year-end pow wow, at Pope John Paul II School on Thursday.
"It's a summer celebration. We don't have a closing pow wow because nothing is ever closed. So this is a celebration of the success of the year," said Shelly Tom, FNMI Coordinator at the Kenora Catholic District School Board.
Music was performed by the host drum St. Thomas Aquinas Singers and the visiting drum Hanisha Singers. A handful of students donned their regalia for the pow wow and performed traditional dances. There were also numerous Intertribal dances where everyone was invited to participate.
Tom explained why the KCDSB puts a large focus on bringing the Anishinabe culture into the classroom.
"Because of where we are, on the Treaty Three land, we need to recognize that and honour the land. We need to recognize that we are all here and we need to celebrate that together," she said.
Prior to the pow wow students had a chance to learn about the traditional dances. Tom said they organized for some dancers to come in and teach the students about the different moves, what they mean, who they're for and who's allowed to participate.
Students were able to put their training to the test on Thursday. Niibin niimi'idim was held one week before the schools officially close their doors for the summer on Friday, June 22nd.
A special moment at this year's pow wow was seeing Grade 1 student, Michael explore the drum through touch, and become part of the drumming circle:
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Michael, a Grade 1 student from Pope John Paul II School, was fascinated with the drumming. He explores the world through touch, as he's hearing impaired. In this picture he's feeling the vibrations of the drum with his finger.
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The drummers took Michael into the circle, so he could participate.
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Before long Michael was part of the drumming group.
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Thank you to everyone who made our Niibin niimi'idim a success. It was amazing to see Michael enjoying his time in the drumming circle.
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