McGill Pow Wow Celebrates Aboriginal Heritage

Indigenous Studies Minor Introduced

“The Great Spirit has blessed us with sunshine today,” said Alex Sonny Diabo, the Elder of the First People’s House of McGill, during his opening speech at the university’s 13th annual pow wow on Sept. 19.


There was total sunshine all day over McGill’s lower field—the only source of shade during the event being the large tent set up in the middle of the grounds for the various speeches, drumming and dances to take place.

A steady crowd was present throughout the day to watch and participate in the gathering of Native people from the community. McGill hosts a pow wow every year. This year’s was particularly festive due to the launch of the first Indigenous Studies program at McGill.

“It’s been a struggle for four years to try to establish Indigenous Studies at McGill, but we got it with the help of many people, and not just Natives,” said Sonny.

McGill has long offered certain courses dealing with indigenous peoples, but has only launched an actual minor concentration program in the Faculty of Arts this school year. “It’s nice to be a part of it and knowing I helped get it going,” said Sonny.

The pow wow started at 11 a.m. with the opening ceremony and grand entry and ran throughout the entire afternoon. During the opening dance, the crowd was advised to stand up and not take pictures or videos until told otherwise in order to comply with tradition. As the opening drumming and dance got underway, the crowd joined by clapping.

The Buffalo Hat Singers, a Montreal-based pow wow group made up of four members who each sing and drum, performed their national anthem.

“Many of our languages are becoming extinct. The only way to survive as a nation is to continue to speak our languages and to teach our culture.”

“This is actually my first time here at a McGill pow wow,” said Ken Ratte, the owner of Laughing Crow Designs. He and his wife Heidi had a booth set up at the event and sold dreamcatchers, hand drums and bone jewellery. They are originally from Rimouski, but travel all over the world for their business.

“I’ve been setting up my booth in many places, but it’s a wonderful atmosphere here with a great crowd,” he said.

He hosted one of the many booths that set up shop around the main tent. People stopped to browse the booths selling clothing and jewellery; others stopped to snack on Indian tacos and fried bread and some made donations for the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal.

Dances and jingles took place one after the other throughout the day, while young children—Native or not—were invited to jump in and dance along.

“Many of our languages are becoming extinct. The only way to survive as a nation is to continue to speak our languages and to teach our culture,” said Sonny. “This year, this finally became a reality at McGill.”

Sonny, who has been with McGill for three years, made himself available all day to anyone who needed guidance.

“Only when the Great Spirit decides I can’t do it anymore, will I leave this and you,” he said.