North Memorial School participates in pow wow event

North Memorial School held an Indigenous sacred social gathering on Thursday, June 23rd, when they showcased a pow wow for students.

Val Smith, principal of the school, talked with PortageOnline about a wonderful day focused on reconciliation and community. 

Smith says this celebration of Indigenous identity and culture is about emotional and inclusive learning.

"Our pow wow was fantastic, and basically, we had one as part of reconciliation because it's about community and getting together in the spirit of respect and to celebrate Indigenous identity and culture."

Smith explains that education means much more than academics.

"We all have to feel connected to one another with genuine respect and kindness. To me, this builds positive relationships and heals many things, and that's what the whole day was about."

Smith shares that she would love for students to take a sense of pride, kindness and fun from this event.

"That's what we do, and that's how we treat each other. That's what respect really means."

It was a beautiful and hot day on Thursday, but Smith says the performers are used to the heat when wearing their regalia for the pow wow.

"The drummers and dancers were fantastic. All the kids got up for the inter-tribal dance. It was just such a great relationship-building day. We had a couple of school board trustees come and join us. I just can't say enough positive things about it."

The principal of North Memorial adds that this was the first pow wow the school has participated in since the pandemic, noting that the government helped fund the pow wow and that it was a total team effort to put together.