Pwaaganigaawin / Pow Wow
- Date
- September 11, 2026
- Time
- 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
- Location
- Kerr Hall Quad (Rainout location: KHW-271, Upper Gym, 379 Victoria Street)
- Open To
- Students, faculty, staff, community members, and public
- Cost
- Free
- Contact
- tmupowwow@torontomu.ca
The day will begin with the lighting of a sacred fire, followed by a sunrise ceremony conducted by Elwood Ashawasega elder at Weecheetowin Support Services (external link) . Please bring your lawn chairs if you are attending the sunrise ceremony and ensure protocols are followed.
At the Pow Wow, there will be various styles of dancing, beautiful sounds of drums and singing, and many Indigenous food and arts and crafts vendors and information tables on-site.
Aambe bizhaak / Hati ónhka taontà:yon / All are welcome to join in the celebration. No registration is required for spectators, however, dancers are to register at the Dancer Registration table.
No admission fee. Non-Indigenous community members welcome!
Schedule of the day
Giigida-nini / Raya’takwení:yo/ Master of Ceremony:
Meeg Snake
Eniigaanzid / Raya’takwení:yo tsi nón:we tehatinonnyáhkwa/Arena director:
Ray Deleary
Community Elders:
Marie Gaudet and Jimmy Dick
Host Drum: Cree Confederation (Treaty 6 Territory in Alberta and Saskatchewan)
Co-host Drum: Elk’s Blood
Invited Drums: Young Tribe, Haundenshonee Singers, Manito Mukwa Singers
Head Dancers: Abby Carpenter and Jay Lomax
Eagle staff carrier:
- 6:00 a.m. Lighting of sacred fire
- 6:30 a.m. Sunrise ceremony by Elwood Ashawasega
- 11:00 a.m. Indigenous vendor market & Dancer Registration opens
- 11:30 a.m. Pow Wow etiquette teachings
- 12:00 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
- 2:15 p.m. Honour Song by Fawn Wood
- 4:00 p.m. Giveaway & Acknowledgements
- 5:00 p.m. Community Feast & Closing
Gchi-twaa | Sacred Fire
- Time: 6:30 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 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 Meeg Snake, Master of Ceremony on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 7 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Register for the virtual Pow Wow etiquette teachings (external link)
Pow Wow Poster
Refer to links to download the TMU Pow Wow Poster, available in two formats.
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