University of Manitoba

U of M - Student Affairs - Aboriginal Student Centre - Traditional Graduation PowWow

Traditional Graduation PowWow

The 24th Annual Traditional Graduation Powwow

Graduation Powwow

The 2013 Traditional Graduation PowWow is for February, May and October 2013 Graduates.

WHERE: The University of Manitoba, Investors Group Athletic Centre
WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2013
Pipe Ceremony -- 10:00 am
Grand Entry -- 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Feast -- 5:00 pm
Craft Sale

Contact: 204-474-8850

Migizii Award Nomination

The Migizii Award is to acknowledge a university staff member who went above and beyond for you and/or other Aboriginal students on campus. Has someone helped you on your academic journey and you would like to have them honoured at the Traditional Graduation Powwow? This award is available to all staff members of the University of Manitoba, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal who made a difference. Fill out the nomination form here. Deadline for nominations is April 26, 2013.

GRADUATE INFORMATION

This Information sheet is provided to answer some questions you might have regarding your role in the Grand Entry and throughout the day. If you have any other questions not covered on this sheet, please ask any Traditional Graduation Committee member, and we will do our best to help you.

The Yellow Ribbon
This is given to you when you register at the Graduates registration table. This is so that the community, guests and Powwow committee may identify you as one of the grads.
Grand Entry(s):

We ask that you are available for the first Grand Entry that begins at 12:00 p.m. and (if possible) the second Grand Entry at 7:00 p.m. You will be directed to your position in the Grand Entry by the Arena Director and/or one of the Arena Director's helpers.

Tobacco will be presented to you during Grand Entry time in appreciation of your participation of the days' events. After the grand entry you may place the tobacco on a drum of your choice or you may place the tobacco in a bowl provided at the announcers stand. Tobacco is one of four sacred medicines given to us by Creator and is used to open up communication for its user.

Order of the Grand Entry

  1. Eagle Staff/Flags
  2. Veterans
  3. Honoured Guests
  4. U of M Aboriginal Student Association/Council
  5. Powwow Committee
  6. Graduates (designated by yellow ribbon) and community flags
  7. PowWow dancers, by categories
Giveaway:
This will take place at approximately 2:00 p.m. You will be directed to sit on the bleacher style seating located in the middle of the arena and the speeches from the community will commence. Following the speeches there will be a giveaway. The emcee will call you up individually and announce the degree/certificate you have received. You will be asked to come and receive your certificate of achievement and gifts from the committee members. After the graduates receive their gifts, a circle is formed.
Honour Song:
After the circle has been completed, the Honour song will begin. The Honour Song gives tribute to your accomplishments and recognizes your achievements whereby the community will be asked to come down and extend their congratulations with a hand shake. Some of the people may choose to join the circle and be with you.

* Powwow events may not follow strict time lines, as there may be certain ceremonies, such as retrieving dropped eagle feathers or the sounding of eagle whistles that will take precedence over time schedules. We request your understanding and respect in the event the agenda is somewhat delayed.

Registration Form



© 2013 UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
Aboriginal Student Centre (ASC)
114 Sidney Smith St.
University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada
Phone: 204-474-8850 Fax: 204-275-3142