AAW Goes to the Lambton College Pow Wow

On April 4th the Grade 5/6 and 6 classes travelled to Lambton College in Sarnia for the annual Pow Wow.  This was an event that our classes were very excited to attend.  Some students had been to Pow Wows previously at Bkejwanong or Aamjiwanaang while others were looking forward to a new cultural experience.

The week before we left we reviewed a slideshow created by Gretchen with some background information on Pow Wows as well as Pow Wow etiquette.  It was important to me that our students knew how to behave and interact appropriately in order to be respectful of the dancers, drummers and cultural experience as a whole.

Our students had also become familiar with Pow Wow dances through dance and music classes earlier in the year.  If you're interested in introducing Pow Wow dancing to your classroom check out the Pow Wow Sweat video series on YouTube by clicking HERE.

When we arrived at Lambton College our students were so excited to head to the arena and check out the vendors, the drummers, the dancer's regalia, and of course the food, before the dancing started.  Once the Grand Entry began I was again thankful for Gretchen's slideshow as the students had acquired appropriate knowledge and understanding of the ceremony and proceedings that they were now a part of.

Over the course of the next hour or so many students took advantage of the opportunity to join in with the group dances while others chose to observe.  Either way, I was happy that our students had the opportunity to take part first hand in such a culturally rich experience that many would not have had otherwise.

If there is a local Pow Wow close to your school I would definitely recommend taking your class as it is a culturally rich experience that all students can benefit from and enjoy!


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