Dalhousie’s annual Mawio’mi commemorates Indigenous cultures, with growing crowd

Community members, Dalhousie students and elementary school students hold hands while dancing in a circle as part of the Mawio’mi’s opening ceremony. AINSLIE NICHOLL-PENMAN // THE WATCH

Ann LaBillois walks through Dalhousie quad during the opening ceremony with Mi’kmaq elders and jingle dancers following behind. AINSLIE NICHOLL-PENMAN // THE WATCH

Two Mi’kmaq jingle dancers take part in a potato challenge, where they must dance while ensuring the potato between them does not fall to the ground. AINSLIE NICHOLL-PENMAN // THE WATCH

Stoney Bear Singers, a Mi’kmaq contemporary singing group, drum and sing for jingle dancers. AINSLIE NICHOLL-PENMAN // THE WATCH

John R. Sylliboy leads Mi’kmaq flag bearers through the Dalhousie quad for the opening ceremony of the 15th annual Mawio’mi. AINSLIE NICHOLL-PENMAN // THE WATCH

Mi’kmaq elders and jingle dancers do their final dance through the Dalhousie quad during the closing ceremony. AINSLIE NICHOLL-PENMAN // THE WATCH

Dalhousie’s 15th annual Mawio’mi brought students, faculty and community members together on Oct. 16 to take part in cultural ceremonies and support local Indigenous artists.

Dillon Hughson, the Indigenous Student Advisor at Dalhousie, said this year’s turnout looked significantly bigger than last year.

“This is months in the making, so to see that all come together in the way that it did is such a huge relief,” Hughson said. “We had the sun shining, we had the drummers and dancers, and a lot of students too.”

The opening ceremony commenced at noon with Ann LaBillois, Dalhousie’s elder in residence, leading the crowd through a breathing exercise to “reconnect with Mother Earth.”

“We all have a spiritual connection,” LaBillois said over the microphone. “Today is a day for us to celebrate that connection by sharing food, crafts and our culture.”

“Now it’s time to celebrate, rejoice and be glad,” LaBillois said.

As students filed out of buildings in between classes, many were drawn in by the rhythms of drums and traditional Mi’kmaq songs. Hughson said, “whether somebody was staying for the whole day or just dropping by for a few minutes, a lot of smiling faces were around.”

The Dal quad was lined with booths set up by Indigenous artists selling traditional and modern artwork, and groups raising awareness for Indigenous issues.

Solaya Meserah-Zdyb, a second-year Dalhousie student, was at the No More Stolen Sisters Society booth handing out pamphlets regarding violence toward Indigenous women and girls.

Meserah-Zdyb said as an Inuit person, it was nice to see an array of cultures this year, with jingle dancers and throat singers taking turns showing their art.

“We believe that every Indigenous person has a right to their land and their home,” Meserah-Zdyb said. “We [feel] that Indigenous people should stick together, no matter where you’re from.”

Younger students from nearby public schools were sitting on the grass watching the Powwow. Hughson said teachers often bring their elementary classes for a day of cultural teachings, and this year, a few daycares also stopped by.

“I like to see kids of all ages attending,” Meserah-Zdyb said. “It just shows that everybody can learn from these events.”

Hughson said Dalhousie’s annual Mawio’mi is welcome to everyone and he hopes to see bigger crowds in the years to come.

“It’s really nice to see what this is growing into,” Hughson said. “I really think the sky is the limit.”