The Dal community will get to experience a taste of our region鈥檚 founding culture next Wednesday.
The annual Mawio鈥檓i, or 鈥減owwow,鈥� is a fall highlight at Dal 鈥斅燼n entire afternoon of dancing, drumming and traditional dining on the Studley quad. It鈥檚 a celebration of heritage to help kick off Mi鈥檏maq History Month.
鈥淭he event has had the same title for the past few years: 鈥楾his is Our Way,鈥欌�� explains Sara Swasson, native post-secondary liaison with Dal鈥檚 Native Post Secondary Education Counselling Unit. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a showcase of a part of our culture for students, faculty, staff and the general public.鈥�
The Mawio鈥檓i, free and open to all to attend, kicks off with a traditional meal at 11:30 a.m. in the Studley gym 鈥� moose meat stew with luskinikn bread 鈥� followed by the Grand Entry to the quad at 12:45. (In the event of rain, the Mawio鈥檓i will take place in the gym itself.)
The Mawio鈥檓i鈥檚 honoured guest this year is Bob Gloade, Chief of the Millbrook First Nation. Dal President Richard Florizone will also be on hand to help raise the Mi鈥檏maq flag over the Studley Campus quad.
With a record number of donations this year to support the event, there will be three drum groups performing and a large dance contingent.
Psychology student Michelle Bernard, acting president of the AV俱乐部 Native Students Association, says that for aboriginal students on campus, the event is a moment of great pride and belonging.
鈥淚t鈥檚 great to share our culture and increase awareness, but it鈥檚 also important because, as Mi鈥檏maq students, many of us are coming to Dal from communities from away,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e really miss that cultural experience, so bringing it here to campus makes you really feel at home.鈥�
AV俱乐部 Mawio鈥檓i
Traditional meal begins at 11:30 a.m., Studley Gym
Grand Entry begins at 12:45 p.m., followed by flag raising, drumming and dancing
Studley Quad (rain location 鈥� Studley Gym)
All are invited