The Aboriginal Students’ Association at York is hosting its 4th Annual Aboriginal Awareness Days & Powwow from Thursday to Saturday at York’s Keele campus.
The theme of this year’s event is “Honouring Our Artistic Voices” and will feature performances, demonstrations, workshops, vendors and exhibits.
The weekend’s events begin Thursday with a lecture by Danny Beaton (left), an environmental activist and photographer, from 1-2:30pm in 140 HNES Bldg., the opening ceremonies & pow-wow dance demonstrations will be held in the Student Centre from 3-4pm.
On Friday, Drew Hayden Taylor (right) will lead a discussion of Native humour titled “Whacking the Indigenous Funny Bone: This Indian walks into a bar…” from 10-11:30am in 140 HNES Bldg. In the afternoon, actor Michael Greyeyes (far right), will lead a workshop titled “Working in the shadow of the Indian: Theatre Making Strategies” from 2:30-5:30pm in Studio C, Accolade East. Vendors will be set up in the Bear Pit and Central Square area.
Saturday’s traditional powwow begins with a grand entry at noon, followed by a Grand Feast in Winters Dining Hall. Co-host drums for this event are Morning Star River and the Taabik Singers with invited drums Eagle Flight, the Chippewa Travelers and Spirit Wind Women’s Hand Drum. The head male dancer will be Jay Lomax; the head female dancer will be Jasmine Manning.
Right: Drum band Morning Star River
Everyone is welcome to this free event. For more information, contact the Aboriginal Students’ Association at York by e-mail, fnasa@yorku.ca, or call ext. 40383.