Students and community embrace 2026 Welcome Pow Wow
By Kelly Anne Smith
NORTH BAY — The 21st Annual Welcome Pow Wow took place on September 18 at North Bay’s Education Centre, hosted by the First Peoples’ Centre at Canadore College and Nipissing University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
Kevin Wamsley, President of Nipissing University, called the Welcome Pow Wow a grand announcement that Fall has arrived and a wonderful way of welcoming new and returning students.
“It’s a great celebration of understanding the Anishinaabe people who are stewards of the land, and it is a big welcome celebration for everyone. It’s not just for Indigenous students, faculty, and staff— it’s for everyone. This is part of our university, and we want everybody to be involved,” says President Wamsley.
Of the approximately 4,300 students at Nipissing University, President Wamsley states about seven per cent are Indigenous.
“You’ll see 1,000 people here today, between Canadore College and Nipissing University,” he added.
While welcoming students to the traditional territory of Nipissing First Nation during her dignitary comments, Nipissing First Nation Councillor Priscilla Goulais reflected on the new year of learning at the Education Centre.
“A new school year is a time for new beginnings, new experiences, and new possibilities. Whether you are taking your first steps into post-secondary or continuing along your academic journey, remember that every challenge you face is an opportunity to grow and to become stronger,” says Councillor Goulais.
In her final year at Nipissing University, Vanessa Joseph of Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam was grateful to have the Welcome Pow Wow on campus.
“I used to go to school in Quebec and there wasn’t really any Indigenous support for students,” says Joseph. “There were no events like this. I realize how important it is to have cultural workshops and events like the pow wow. It’s so important for our soul and spirit. We really need to take care of our spirit while we study.”
Ricki-Lee Scheck, Student Success and Development Coordinator in Nipissing University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives, and Gerry McComb, Canadore College Cultural Advisor, co-organized the Welcome Pow Wow.
Scheck, whose mother is from Wiikwemkong Unceded Territory and father is from Garden River First Nation, says producing the Welcome Pow Wow is about cooperation.
“It’s a really big mark of collaboration between the two institutions,” says Scheck. “That’s super important because we have Indigenous students on both sides. We want to make sure that they all feel welcome. That they feel they can celebrate who they are in a safe and welcoming space… It’s all about starting the school year in a good way.”
Scheck says there is good energy among the students at the Nipissing University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives after the pow wow.
“It is definitely the talk in the lounge for the couple weeks,” Sheck adds. “People are reflecting on their time. They might be seeing friends they haven’t seen in a really long time, or community members or dignitaries. It’s an excellent time for students to be able to come together in community.”
Dancer Natalie Wajashk-Restoule of Dokis First Nation has watched the Welcome Pow Wow grow over time.
“I’m an alumnus of Canadore and Nipissing,” says Wajashk-Restoule. “When they first started the pow wow, it was a small knit community hosting this to introduce it to the community, watching it grow throughout the years has been amazing. This outcome today is [heartwarming] to see so many people willing to participate and ask questions and learn more about our ways of life. It’s really nice to see so many young dancers take up space in the circle.”
Nipissing First Nation’s Lorraine Liberty-Whiteduck is Grandmother-in-Residence at Canadore College. As Head Elder at the Welcome Pow Wow, Elder Liberty-Whiteduck gave thanks to Mother Nature, the water, and the air that we breathe.
“I say miigwech to each and every one of you for being here and for bringing that energy and bringing that spirit; for bringing that love, kindness, and caring for everyone,” says Elder Liberty-Whiteduck.
The Host Drum was White Tail Cree, with Juniper Singers as the Co-host Drum. Christina Beaucage was the emcee, while Darren McGregor was the Arena Director.