Toronto, May 7, 2020 — Students, employees, graduates and members of the local Indigenous community will gather for Seneca’s first ever virtual pow wow this month — safely, from home.
On Thursday, May 14 at 1 p.m., pow wow participants will share traditional Indigenous songs, dances and teachings for attendees through an online meeting platform to celebrate culture and reconciliation during this time of physical distancing.
“At a time when travel restrictions and limits on large social gatherings are in place, the Seneca community will unite online to celebrate Indigenous culture,” said Mark Solomon, Dean of Students and Indigenous Education. “This is our way of continuing to provide education while supporting Indigenous community members who typically make a living through the pow wow circuit.”
Hosted by First Peoples@Seneca, the virtual pow wow will feature performances from two-time world champion hoop dancer Lisa Odjig, also a graduate from Seneca’s School of Hospitality & Tourism. Additional dance styles will be showcased by Seneca graduates, along with drumming performances, prayers and teachings by elders, employees and community members.
To further support reconciliation during the current pandemic, Seneca has organized additional initiatives, including:
- virtual book club for employees to share in discussions about Indigenous readings
- online workshops for students on tea-making and other Indigenous teachings