September 28, 2024 marks the 21st anniversary of the Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát annual Pow Wow.
This year continues the collaboration between the Shatitsirótha’ Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre (WISC) and the University of Waterloo Office of Indigenous Relations (OIR). This one-day non-competitive celebration of Indigenous heritage features vendors, dancers, and singers from the Waterloo region and beyond. Join us as we celebrate Indigenous culture and tradition through song, dance, arts, and cuisine. Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát Pow Wow is intended to be a safe, welcoming, and vibrant opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous folks from the UWaterloo community and beyond to gather in celebration of indigenization, decolonization, and reconciliation.
This remarkable event is free to attend and welcomes everyone to join. We gratefully acknowledge the University of Waterloo Athletics for their vital support in making this celebration possible!
Event Details
Date: September 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
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Doors open at 10am
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Grand Entry at 12pm
Location: University of Waterloo, Columbia Icefield (CIF), Outdoor Field 7
220 Columbia St W, Waterloo, ON N2L 0A1
Cost: Free admission
Parking: Free parking available in the OpenText parking lot, located at 275 Frank Tompa Dr, Waterloo
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Additional parking will be available in the UWaterloo Parking Lot X
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Accessible parking available
Sustainable and Active Transportation: From Grand River Transit to GO Transit and bike lanes, there are lots of options to use active or public transportation. For more information on the services available, please visit the Sustainability Office website and Grand River Transit.
Pow Wow Schedule
8:00am: Vendor set up begins
9:00am: Dancer check in begins
10:00am: Doors Open (welcome!)
12:00pm: Grand Entry and Opening Ceremony
12:30pm: Dance categories begin
4:00pm: Specials begin
4:30pm: Honorariums and give away
4:45pm: Closing Ceremony
5:00pm: Doors close to the public
5:30pm: Feast for dancers and volunteers
Thank you for coming!
Note: The University of Waterloo is now a smoke-free campus.
A designated smoking area is available off site at the entrance to the event venue located off of Frank Tompa Drive. For help locating the area, please find a day of volunteer to assist you.
What to Expect at a Pow Wow
Will this be your first time attending a Pow Wow? We are so happy you've decided to come on out and share in this beautiful experience! A Pow Wow is a cultural celebration that highlights Indigenous dance, music, food and art. This is a place to gather and connect, honouring old friendships and making new ones. Pow Wows are community events open for everyone to attend respectfully. Non-Indigenous folks are welcome and encouraged to come. This is a family-friendly environment, so bring your little ones and elders, and enjoy a day together with family.
When you arrive, you will see dancers in beautiful traditional regalia, singers pounding meaningful songs on big drums, and vendors with their gifts and talents on display. There will also be Indigenous food available to enjoy, and water stations to refill your reusable water bottles. Dancers are divided into categories based on the style of dance they prefer. Some of these include grass dancers, fancy dancers, jingle dress dancers, fancy shawl, traditional style, and more. For spectators, some seating will be available, but you can also bring your own beach chair or your favourite blanket and find a comfy space to sprawl out. You are welcome to come and go and move about as you please, outside of the dance arena. There will be opportunities for spectators to participate in the celebration as well. Every Pow Wow features Intertribal dances where all in attendance are welcome to enter the arena and dance together!
Pow Wow Etiquette
Whether this is your first Pow Wow or if you've been on the Pow Wow trail for years, there is always something new to learn. We want you to get the most out of your time spent attending the celebration, so we are providing some basic information about how to attend and participate respectfully. Please take a moment to review our Pow Wow Etiquette. Miigwech/ nia:wen/ thank you!
Head Dancers
David (DJ) White
Boozhoo/Hello My name is D.J. White, from Walpole Island. From the Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa Nations. I am a Fancy Feather Dancer. I started singing in a youth drum group then started dancing Fancy Feather when I was little. I have Brothers and family members that danced this style and taught me how to dance and how to create my regalia. Growing up I attended many pow-wows across Turtle Island. A service member of the Canadian Armed Forces. I dance for the people, my ancestors and to bring inspiration for indigenous culture ways of life. For my family and future generations.
Raven Sutherland
Raven Sutherland (she/her) is a Plains Cree & Saulteaux woman and a member of Lake St.Martin First Nation in Manitoba. Raven is a KW local & grew up dancing in this community. She has been a jingle dancer for over 10 years and carries that honour with her everywhere she goes. Raven recently finished her certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization from Yellowhead Tribal College and works full time as a Marketing & Communications Manager.
Jada McGregor Dickens
Junior Head Dancer
My name is Jada McGregor Dickens. I’m Anishinaabe from Aundeck Omni Kaning and Jamaican. Dance is a profound part of my life—it’s medicine that supports my holistic well-being. I dance jingle, fancy, and ballet to connect with my ancestors, reclaim our traditions, and revitalize our cultural resilience. Through dance, I honor the strength and resiliency of our people, contributing to the well-being of present and future generations. This practice is an integral part of my journey toward Minobimaadiziwin, the path of living a good life.
Information for:
Dancers
Calling all dancers! Come out and shake what Creator gave you!
We are grateful for your interest in participating as a dancer in this year's Pow Wow. Please follow the link provided and fill out our pre-registration form. The Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát Pow Wow committee is grateful to have you join us. As a token of our appreciation, registered dancers will receive a small honorarium at the conclusion of the Pow Wow. We ask all Dancers to arrive between 9am and 11am for sign-in.
Vendors
Come on out and showcase your creative gifts!
Gidinawendamin/Ska’nikú•lát 21’st Annual Pow Wow is grateful to host 40 arts & crafts/ product vendors, and ten information booths. For-profit vendors fee is $40 for the day, and must paid in advance or at the beginning of the Pow Wow. Information booths are exempt from this fee. All vendors are responsible for providing their own tables and chairs. Registered vendors will receive a free meal voucher.
Volunteers
Be part of an amazing celebration!
No experience necessary. Just bring a good heart and a willingness to help. All volunteers will be required to attend a 1.5-hour training session.
Perks: Gain experience, get a free meal voucher, and receive a free event T-shirt!
Sign up now! After filling out the registration form, a Pow Wow committee member will contact you. Thank you!
Chi Miigwech | Niawen'kó:wa
Thank you to our sponsors
OpenText
TD Canada Trust
Waterloo Region Community Foundation
UW Faculty of Engineering
UW Faculty of Health
UW Faculty of Mathematics
UW Faculty of Environment
UW Faculty of Science
UW Office of Research
KPMG
UW Staff Association
UW Faculty Association
Conrad Grebel University College
Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association
Canadian Federation of University Women – Kitchener-Waterloo Chapter