ST. PAUL – The St. Paul Education Regional Division (SPERD) will hold a division-wide school powwow on May 30 at the Pow Wow Arbour in Frog Lake First Nations.
In the past, the school division had been hosting a powwow at least every two years - but the last was held in 2017.
Keith Gamblin, Associate Superintendent of Learning, said attempts to host the event in 2018 and 2019 were unsuccessful due to unfavourable weather conditions.
“And then it was scheduled for 2020, but of course, COVID happened,” says Gamblin. “So, we’ve been looking forward to this for six years now... it’s been a long time in the making.”
This year's powwow, hosted by Frog Lake First Nations, will have contingency plans in place, including access to a nearby arena in case of bad weather, says Gamblin. He adds that the school division’s FNMI (First Nation, Métis and Inuit) education committee, headed by FNMI Trustee Melvin Abraham, has been preparing for a long time to ensure the event’s success.
Gamblin says the event is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to about 2:15 p.m. and will bring together over 1,000 students from across the school division.
“We are very excited to have all of our division schools in attendance, along with several community groups and neighboring schools,” he says.
Over 40 Indigenous students from the school division will also be performing at the powwow.
“It will be an opportunity for all of us to come together and celebrate our Indigenous students, celebrate some of their cultures, and give them a chance to showcase their many skills and talents,” says Gamblin.
SPERD plans to offer a livestream to accommodate students who cannot attend. Gamblin expressed hope that this will allow all students to participate and learn more about Indigenous culture and traditions, either in person or virtually.