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The University of Toronto Mississauga recently welcomed hundreds of participants and attendees from as far away as Aotearoa New Zealand, for the second annual All-Nations Powwow.  

Scattered showers didn’t stop the outdoor event from going ahead on Sept. 28.  

It was the first time the All-Nations Powwow was held outdoors. The event, which took place on the north field in front of Maanjiwe nendamowinan, was free to attend and open to all.  

U of T Mississauga photographer Nick Iwanyshyn was on hand to capture the day:

More than 30 dancers in regalia competed in the Traditional Men’s and Jingle Dress Dance Specials and took part in intertribal spot and exhibition dances.  

Celeste Pedri-Spade, who is an Anishinaabe scholar and artist from northwestern Ontario and a band member of Lac des Milles Lacs First Nation, took top prize in the Jingle Dress Dance. Pedri-Spade has a PhD in visual anthropology and travelled to the All-Nations Powwow from Montreal, where she is the associate provost of Indigenous initiatives at McGill University.

Members of a Māori delegation, visiting from Aotearoa, New Zealand, demonstrated Haka, a ceremonial dance in Māori culture, for the assembled crowd.  

Outside of the dances, All-Nations Powwow attendees were invited to browse the vendor stalls, which featured a variety of canned goods and other food along with clothing, accessories and wellness products.  

All attendees were invited to participate in intertribal dances. Intertribal dances are for all ages, backgrounds and abilities, with no set dance style. 

Members of the , Juno-nominated hand-drum performers from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, were among the invited drummers in attendance.  

John Hupfield, who is Anishinaabe from Wasauksing First Nation and one of the All-Nations Powwow Head Dancers, took part in a grass dance during the event. Hupfield, who has a PhD in education from York University, has researched the roles that Powwows play within Anishinaabe contexts of education and pedagogy. 

He welcomed the chance to lead dancers and to share Powwow traditions with the U of T Mississauga community.  

“It is a space to work and gather together, share and pass tradition with everyone,” he said of the All-Nations Powwow. “That’s the beautiful aspect of it and I hope it continues to grow at UTM.”