In photos: National Indigenous Peoples Day at TMU

On June 21, the TMU community packed the Student Learning Centre 8th floor to celebrate Indigenous history and culture for National Indigenous Peoples Day. Photos by Alyssa K. Faoro.

Throughout the day, community members shopped from local Indigenous-owned businesses selling handmade products like earrings, necklaces, clothing and hair accessories and dreamcatchers.

Brandon Tehanyatarí:ya’ks Martin (right), a professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures in the Faculty of Arts, gave a presentation on five wampum belts at TMU, four replicas and one real. Attendees were able to touch and feel the wampum belts and learned about the meaning, history and treaties of each belt.

Indigenous youth from the 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations (external link)  drum group performed a set of songs using traditional hand drums and a shaker.

Master of ceremonies, Michael Etherington (right), taught attendees a community game and held a goose-calling contest.

Three Indigenous youth from the Outside Looking In (external link)  dance troupe danced it out to a mashup of hip-hop songs. After catching their breath, they shared how the Indigenous-led organization has impacted their lives and given them the confidence and support to thrive.

Hiawatha’s Catering, an Indigenous caterer from Wahnapitae First Nation, Ont. provided a delicious feast. Crystal Osawamick prepared a spirit plate and Amy Desjarlais, prayed with it and offered it to the land to feed the spirits, the ancestors and spiritual helpers that were present at the gathering.

President Lachemi thanked the TMU community for coming together to celebrate, learn and reflect and thanked the organizing committee for their hard work and dedication.

Amy Desjarlais, lead facilitator of Rebirthed Teachings, opened the event with a song and welcoming words and closed the event with a prayer, closing remarks and by singing her song Looking Forward, a travelling song.