Round dance event welcomes spring with song and dance

The round dance was a collaboration between TMU and community partners, Aboriginal Legal Services, the Yellowhead Institute, Native Women in the Arts and Canadian Heritage of the Government of Canada. Photos by Photobykoe (Kristine Buban)

Left: Before the event began, the space was cleansed with a smudging of sage. Right: Volunteers helped to prepare semaa (traditional tobacco) ties wrapped with red cloth. Tobacco is one of the four sacred medicines and was offered to those who were invited to have a role in the event. If accepted, the individuals agree to do what was asked of them. 

The master of ceremonies, Gary Parker from Seneca Nation, welcomed all the guests and community members to the event.

Toni De Mello, vice-president, equity and community inclusion (left), Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, interim provost and vice-president, academic (centre) and Monica McKay, director of Aboriginal Initiatives (right) provided opening remarks and talked about the importance of Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members coming together in the spirit of learning and respect.

Harvey Dreaver from Big River First Nation, Saskatchewan, is a well-known pow wow and round dance singer across Turtle Island. He offered teachings on the round dance and had the role of the stickman. The stickman works closely with the master of ceremonies and organizers and guides the flow of the evening through the songs and dances.

Guests and attendees enjoyed a traditional feast catered by TMU Eats. Later in the evening, Candace’s Catering (external link)  offered a wellness break of scone dogs, strawberry drink, cedar tea and wild rice with berries.

As the round dance began a set of ceremonial songs was sung, the invited singers then sang their set of four songs each. Attendees joined hands together around the singer’s table in the centre of the room while they sang with their hand drums and the circle danced around them.

22 singers from across Turtle Island participated in the round dance. They filled the evening with a collection of traditional, contemporary and ceremonial songs, some of which are hundreds and thousands of years old.

The round dance ends with a giveaway to honour the intent of the dance and offer thanks to those in attendance. Giveaway items, all from Indigenous vendors, were placed on a blanket, smudged and prayed for. They were then handed out by the volunteers, organizers and community partners to the Elders, the stickman, the master of ceremonies, the singers and others who were in attendance. A giveaway song was sung and those who received a gift, danced with it to acknowledge and give thanks.