Unity, relationship building, theme for Sault College Pow Wow

‘Love and Unity’ is the theme for this year’s pow wow at Sault College, which takes place Feb. 10-11 at the school’s Health and Wellness Centre.

Indigenous Student Council president Jonathan Nolan says the theme is a nod to building relationships locally, and stresses that everyone is welcome to take part in the annual event.

“The whole point of this theme is really in regards to truth and reconciliation,” Nolan said. “We really just want to put a shine on building those relationships here within our college community and our community here in Sault Ste. Marie.”

Nolan says that the five week-long faculty strike this academic year - which affected 24 colleges across Ontario - left the student council scrambling to put the pow wow together. Donations from the City of Sault Ste. Marie, United Way and Sault College Student Union, along with donations from local commercial businesses, helped the Indigenous Student Council hit their financial goal of $12,000 just two weeks before the event.

“They reached our goal, they hit the target without seeking internal resources as much as we have in the past,” Nolan said. “The community of Sault Ste. Marie came together for this event, which makes it really beautiful.”

Grand Entry will be held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. Click here for a rundown of this weekend’s pow wow.