Skip to Main Content
You are now in the main content area

Pwaaganigaawin / Pow Wow

Date
September 12, 2025
Time
6:30 AM EDT - 5:00 PM EDT
Location
Kerr Hall Quad (Rainout location: KHW-271, Upper Gym, 379 Victoria Street)
Open To
Students, faculty, staff, community members, and public
Contact
tmupowwow@torontomu.ca

No registration required to attend the Pow Wow. All are welcome, Indigenous and non-indigenous! Free event!

A pow wow with someone dancing in their regalia

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Pwaaganigaawin / Pow Wow returns on Friday, September 12, 2025. This year our theme is Mnaadenmin Shkagamik-kwe | Teyethinonwerá:ton Yonkhi'nihsténha Onhwéntsya | Honouring Mother Earth 🌎

The day will begin with the lighting of a sacred fire, followed by a sunrise ceremony conducted by Clay Shirt. Please bring your lawn chairs if you are attending the sunrise ceremony. There will be various styles of Pow Wow dancing, beautiful sounds of drums and singing, and many Indigenous vendors and information booths on-site.

Aambe bizhaak / Hati ónhka taontà:yon /All are welcome to join in the celebration. No registration is required. No admission fee.

Schedule of the day

Giigida-nini / Raya’takwení:yo/ Master of Ceremony: Meeg Snake

Eniigaanzid / Raya’takwení:yo tsi nón:we tehatinonnyáhkwa/Arena director: Darren McGregor

Eagle staff carrier: James McKay 

  • 6:00 a.m. Lighting of sacred fire 
  • 6:30 a.m. Sunrise ceremony by Clayton Shirt
  • 11 a.m. Indigenous vendor market & Dancer and Registration opens
  • 11:15 a.m. Pow Wow etiquette teachings 
  • 12 p.m. Maamwi-biindigegaawag / Grand entry 
  • 12:15 p.m. Welcoming Remarks 
  • 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Intertribal dancing, specials, dance categories 
  • 4:00 p.m. Giveaway & Acknowledgements
  • 5 p.m. Community Feast & Closing 

Gchi-twaa | Sacred Fire

  • Time: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kerr Hall Quad 
  • Description: Opportunity for offering tobacco and prayers. 
  • Moontime Protocol: Please keep in mind, the protocol of women on their “moontime” (menstrual time) is to refrain from being directly at the sacred fire and within the dancing circle. If you are wanting to offer some prayers, helpers at the fire can offer tobacco for you. 

Join us for Pow Wow Mohawk Language Session on Zoom

Please join us to learn more about the Mohawk language, Pow Wow themed by Tehanyatari:ya’ks / Dr. Brandon Martin on Monday, September 8, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Register for the virtual Pow Wow Mohawk Language session (external link) . 

Join us for Pow Wow etiquette teachings on Zoom

To ensure all attendees know what to expect at a Pow Wow and to participate fully and respectfully, please join us virtually for Pow Wow etiquette teachings by Darren McGregor, Arena Director on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 from 7 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Register for the virtual Pow Wow etiquette teachings (external link) .

Accessibility

The university is committed to the accessibility and inclusion of persons with disabilities. The Pow Wow will take place in the Kerr Hall Quad on a grassy area. There will be a wheelchair accessible ramp at the northwest corner of the quad that leads onto the green space. Volunteers will be available to assist participants. 

If you require any accessibility accommodations to ensure your full participation, please email Crystal Osawamick, manager of Indigenous events and special projects at tmupowwow@torontomu.ca.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Pow Wow, please email Crystal Osawamick and Helpers at tmupowwow@torontomu.ca.