Indigenous dancers perform at the All-Nations Powwow, held on the UTM Campus

UTM’s first All-Nations Powwow attracts an estimated 1,500 guests and performers

Kate Martin

An estimated 1,500 visitors turned out to University of Toronto Mississauga on March 25 for the campus’ inaugural All-Nations Powwow. The event was co-hosted by U of T Mississauga's Indigenous Centre and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). 

Various performances at the All-Nations Powwow, hosted on the UTM campus
(Photos by Nick Iwanyshyn)

“It doesn’t just take one person; it actually takes an entire community to really bring this to fruition and make this successful,” Tee Duke, Director, UTM Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII-UTM) told local media.

“We are a very small team here, a tiny office, but it really did take the entire UTM community to bring this entire event to success.” 

Various performances at the All-Nations Powwow, hosted on the UTM campus
(Photos by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Centered in the RAWC, the day included a full program of traditional singing and dancing, spotlighting a Grand Entry ceremony as well as intertribal, spot, jingle dress and exhibition dances.  

In addition to performances, the Powwow also featured a busy marketplace of Indigenous-owned businesses with products including apparel, artwork, jewelry and food items, as well as booths sharing information from Indigenous community groups and U of T services.  

Various performances, speakers and attendees at the All-Nations Powwow, hosted on the UTM campus
(Photos by Nick Iwanyshyn)

When the OII-UTM first opened last year, Duke named hosting the Powwow as a priority, as part of the campus’s ongoing commitment to meet the recommendations U of T’s Truth and Reconciliation Steering Committee Report, Answering the Call: Wecheehetowin.

Various performances, speakers and attendees at the All-Nations Powwow, hosted on the UTM campus
(Photos by Nick Iwanyshyn)

More coverage: 

Summary video of All-Nations Powwow

UTM and MCFN co-host All-Nations Powwow, CityNews reports