May 28, 2010

Media contact: Kim Lawrence
Office: 604-864-4611
Cell: 604-302-6257
kim.lawrence@ufv.ca
 
Mini powwow at UFV on June 1

The University of the Fraser Valley is celebrating National Aboriginal Day a bit early this year, holding a mini powwow on Tuesday, June 1. Everyone is invited to UFV’s Abbotsford campus for an afternoon of fun, awareness, and learning courtesy of the university’s Aboriginal Access Services team.

Proclaimed by the Governor-General of Canada in 1996, National Aboriginal Day ― which officially falls on June 21 ― is a day of recognition of the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada.

The event gets underway at 10 am with a welcome, followed by prayers by UFV Aboriginal Access elder-in-residence Terry Prest. At 10:45 am, dancers will participate in a grand entry, followed by a series of individual performances. The Eystelmexw (‘good medicine’) drummers will be offering up songs throughout the event, and Métis elder Rene Inkster will be onsite doing demonstrations of finger-weaving.

The day will be a very special one for Georgette Charlie of the Stlatlimx Nation, Seton Lake Band, who will be having her coming-out ceremony. This ceremony, which is the first time a young woman dances in public, is done on a set of four blankets and with the support of four other women (who are presented with the blankets afterward). Georgette has handcrafted her jingle dress, moccasins, and hair embellishments, and will ask the drummers to honour her with a special song.

The mini powwow will be held on the main campus green, moving inside to Building F (University House) in case of rain. Barbecued burgers will be available for $5 beginning at 11, and the event is slated to wrap up at 1:45 pm.

UFV is situated in the heart of traditional Stó:lo territory and offers numerous programs of particular interest to Aboriginal students, including Halq’eméylem language, Stó:lo studies, social services, teacher education, Aboriginal culture and language support, indigenous arts, and a certificate in indigenous studies focusing on maps, film, rights and land claims. Students can also engage in directed reading courses in Indigenous studies. UFV offers a themed minor option for students wishing to concentrate their efforts in Indigenous learning.

- 30-

News Archives

For news published August 2011 and onward, search the UFV Today blog. Older news releases are below.

UFV Today Archives

For UFV Today e-newsletters published August 2011 and earlier, visit the UFV Today archives.