Students, community celebrate mini-powwow

The sounds of drums and voices echoed throughout the gymnasium, as both young and old danced around the circle.

Students and staff of Appalachia High, Our Lady of Mercy Elementary and E.A. Butler All Grades Schools gathered at Appalachia High last week to celebrate a mini-powwow. Joining them were various dignitaries of local bands, parents and community members.

The event was part of a special Mi'kmaq cultural day, which was organized by Darlene Sexton and Marlene Farrell.

Ms. Farrell said she and Ms. Sexton attended a powwow at a school in Conne River and decided to rally local people for a similar event.

"After being invited to Conne River and seeing their success, we said, 'We've got to bring this back to Bay St. George,'" noted Ms. Farrell.

She said everybody they spoke with were in support of the special day. Students had the opportunity to attend workshops on such topics as Mi'kmaq language and jewellery making, along with a visit to the K'Taqmkuk Mi'kmaq Cultural and Historic Museum.

"Almost every grade has Mi'kmaq culture as part of their curriculum," said Ms. Farrell. "But we didn't want them to just read about it, we wanted them to experience it."

Among those partaking in the powwow was six-year-old Natasha O'Brien of Flat Bay River.

"I bought it at last year's powwow [in Flat Bay]," said Natasha when asked about her colourful regalia.

Of the day's activities, she said she most enjoyed the round dance and learning how to play the drums.

In addition to raising awareness of Mi'kmaq culture with the students, Ms. Farrell said she hoped it would also spark an interest in families to attend this year's powwow, taking place on July 17 and 18 in Flat Bay.

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