TRC Mawi’omi at UPEI draws large crowd
The TRC Mawi’omi, held on Friday, October 25, at the W.A. Murphy Student Centre, drew a large crowd made up of members of the Indigenous, campus, and broader community, with many wearing traditional regalia or orange shirts.
The Mawi’omi was hosted by the UPEI Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies (IKERAS); the Department of Student Affairs; and the UPEI Student Union.
The event was held to share Mi’kmaw traditions and provide an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty to see, hear, and experience Indigenous culture first-hand. Chief Rodney (Junior) Gould, Abegweit First Nation, and Chief Lisa Cooper, President of the Native Council of PEI (NCPEI), attended as did Dr. Wendy Rodgers, President and Vice-Chancellor, UPEI.
Originally scheduled to take place outdoors in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, the TRC Mawi’omi was postponed due to inclement weather. Because the rescheduled event was held in McMillan Hall, there was no sacred fire; however, Indigenous community member Stephenson Joe, Language and Drumming Facilitator with NCPEI, who served as master of ceremonies, introduced various elements that are part of a traditional Mawi’omi or powwow, including singing, dancing, and drumming.
In his remarks, Chief Gould commented on how he thought having the TRC Mawi’omi on this new date was even more appropriate as, “Reconciliation is not for one day but should be practiced year-round.”
The host drum was the LoneCry Singers while the head female dancer was Kelly Sark and the head male dancer, Michael Julian. Indigenous artisans displayed their beading, basket weaving, and quill work, and there was also a table with medicines, waltes, and cake.
Following the Grand Entry, all dancers and others were welcomed into the circle. Elder Doris Googoo, senior lecturer and language instructor with IKERAS, graciously provided the Seven Sacred Teachings in Mi’kmaq, while Barbara Smith, sessional instructor and traditional dancer, assisted her, sharing them in English.
UPEI Elder-in-Residence Dr. Judy Clark, an Indian Day School survivor, spoke poignantly about residential schools, sharing the story of survivor and community leader Phyllis (Jack) Webstad, a Northern Secwepemc author and member of Stswecem'c Xgat'tem First Nation who created Orange Shirt Day.
Chief Cooper acknowledged how UPEI has moved forward on its path of reconciliation from the time she was a student, and, while there will always more work to be done, the development of the Faculty of IKERAS and addition of faculty and staff roles at the University are positive steps forward.
President Rodgers explained that UPEI’s role as the provincial university is to support the entire Island community through education and research. She challenged those assembled to think about their own roles and the role of the University in living reconciliation every day, not only on September 30. “We must all carry forward the work on reconciliation with the Indigenous Peoples of Canada institutionally and individually.”
