About Us
The XU Pow Wow is a student-led and organized community event, operating with the generous support of the Provost’s Office, Saagajiwe at The Creative School, and many other incredible Institutional and External Partners.
Outreach Lead, OCADU
Dehmin Clealand (she/her) is our Outreach Lead this year!
Dehmin is Ojibwe/Odawa from Wikwemikong Unceded territory and is currently studying Indigenous Visual Culture at OCADU.
She is excited to hopefully be able to see people in person again this year!
Editor Post Production, X University
Shannah Williamson (she/her) is our Video Editing Lead this year!
Shannah is Anishinaabe from the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
She is her fourth year of RTA Media Production at X University and is excited to be on a team with such talented Indigenous students!
You can find Shannah here (external link, opens in new window) .
Design & Website Lead, X University
Karly Cywink (she/her) is our Website and Design Lead this year! Karly is a multidisciplinary Ojibwe artist from Whitefish River.
She’s a recent graduate of XU's RTA Media Production and is currently headed into her Masters.
This is her 3rd year working with Pow Wow and is so excited to continue the work with the community.
You can find Karly here (external link, opens in new window) .
Social Media & Communications Lead, X University
Kay Higgins (they/them) is our Social Media and Communications Lead this year!
Kay is an Anishinaabe two-spirit artist in the Image Arts program at X University.
They are excited to be working alongside other Indigenous students this year to bring a deadly virtual Pow Wow!
You can find Kay here (external link, opens in new window) .
Coordinator, X University
Kathleen Edwards (she/her) is our Pow Wow Coordinator! K. J. is a filmmaker with Moontime Productions.
She is of Kanien’kehá:ka and European settler ancestry. Her family are wolf clan, from Kahnawá:ke.
K.J. recently wrote and directed a narrative short, Meet The Sky.
You can find Kathleen here (external link, opens in new window) .
Vendor & E-Commerce Lead, Georgian College & GB
Sidney Groombridge (she/her) is our Vendor and E-Commerce Lead this year!
Sidney is Ojibwe from Serpent River First Nation. She is currently studying Denturism at Georgian College and hopes to pursue her dream of opening a Denturist office on/close to her reserve.
You can find Sidney here (external link, opens in new window) .
Faculty and Staff Support
Saagjiwe - Faculty Support, X University
Riley Kucheran, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, (he/him) is our Faculty support! Riley is an Assistant Professor of Design Leadership in the School of Fashion.
He is the Associate Director of Saagajiwe, an Indigenous research centre within the Faculty of Communication and Design, and he's also a PhD student and supports many of X University's Indigenous initiatives.
Riley helped reboot the Pow Wow in 2018 with Laura Heidenheim, and he's excited to see another year of growth with a new student team!
You can find Riley here (external link, opens in new window) .
Saagajiwe - Staff Support, X University
Laura Heidenheim (she/her) is the Pow Wow's staff support!
Laura is a settler of German and Jewish descent. She is currently the Manager of Saagajiwe, which is proud to host the XU Pow Wow.
She is excited to see what the brilliant team of students will accomplish this year!
Over the years The XU Pow Wow is also thankful for the incredible support of Institutional and External Partners over the years.
Miigwetch to:
Aboriginal Student Services, the Provost’s Office, Saagajiwe, the Creative School, the
Athletics Department, the Library, the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching,
Student Life, SciXchange, the Ted Rogers School of Management, the RTA School of
Management, the School of Journalism, the School of Fashion, the Theatre School, the
City of Toronto, Canadian Heritage, Canadian Roots Exchange, Joanne Dallaire, Monica
McKay, Marie Gaudet, Jimmy Dick, Pauline Shirt, Steve Teekens, Jennifer Sylvester,
Stephanie Pangowish, Damie Lee, John Moore, Geoffery Daybutch.
And a big thank you to all of the students, staff, faculty and community members who volunteer and contribute to Ryerson Pow Wow!