Page 29 - The Ogemawahj Tribal Council

A3. Exploring Forms and
with the non-Indigenous community (such as getting a university
Cultural Contexts: demonstrate
degree or becoming a doctor or lawyer) caused you to lose your
an understanding of a variety
Indian status. For more information, see the online Canadian of dance forms and styles
Encyclopedia’s section on the Indian Act; link on weblinks list from the past and present,
and their social and/or
powwow: A powwow is a traditional gathering that happens
community contexts
across North America. Indigenous men, women, and children
Specific Expectations: A3.1
celebrate and share culture and heritage through drumming,
Describe, with teacher
singing, dancing, feasting, art, crafts, and laughter. The Indian
guidance, a variety of dances
Act banned powwows, but some First Nations continued the from communities in
tradition in secret. Amendments to the Indian Act in 1911 allowed Canada and around the
certain First Nations to hold powwows. It was not until Indigenous world that they have
seen in the media, at live
veterans returned from war and demanded freedom that there
performances and social
was a revival of powwows. An amendment to the Act in 1951
gatherings, or in the
allowed powwows to proceed without interference. Modern
classroom
powwows stand as a testament to the strength of First Nations
C3.2 identify, through
people to resist assimilation by maintaining their culture. For more
performing and or listening
information, see the online Canadian Encyclopedia’s section on the
to a variety of musical forms
history of powwows; link on weblinks list or pieces from different
communities, times, and places

Emotional (Relate) Activating Prior Knowledge, ANISHINAABEMOWIN
LANGUAGE
Minds On
CONNECTIONS
Opening Circle
jingle dance: zhinawa’oojigan
Prompting Questions: zhigaawin (zhin-ah-wha-ih-oh-
jih-gun Zhih-gaw-win)
• What traditions does your family celebrate?
grass dancer: miishkonhsiing-
• What are some of the ways that your family celebrates
eniimid (meesh-koa-seeng – eh-
your culture? nee-mitd)
• What are some celebrations that are traditions in your family? fancy shawl dancer:
miishkonhsiing-eniimid (meesh-
• How would you feel if you were told you could no longer practice
koa-seeng – eh-nee-mitd)
your family’s traditions, for example, no Christmas?
inter-tribal dance:
maawndigaang (mawn-dih-gong)
Physical (Reveal) Action, Hands On
big drum: gchi
1. Refer to the Beausoleil First Nation Resource Book. Ensure that madewegan (gichi-muday-way-
gun)
students know where Christian Island is by locating it on a map.
eagle staff: mgizi
Read pages 29 to 30, Gatherings, together. Discuss what they
miigwanaatik (meeg-wha-naw-
know about powwows.
tick)
2. Each year, Christian Island Elementary School hosts a powwow regalia: bwaanzhiiwi’on (buh-
for Simcoe County students. Research news videos covering the wawn-zhee-wih’-un)
event; a link to one clip from CTV News is on the weblinks list. grand entry: maamwi-
Have students share what they noticed. biindigegaawag (mawm-wih
– been-dih-geh-gaw-wug)

Resource Books Leaders’ Guide 27