17th annual Gathering at the Rapids pow wow returns this weekend

Algoma University will mark the 17th annual Gathering at the Rapids pow wow this weekend, March 4-5 at the George Leach Centre.

The event kicks off on March 4 with Grand Entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Admission to this event is free and all activities are open to the public.

The full news release is below: 

This weekend marks the 17th Annual Gathering at the Rapids Pow Wow: Celebrating Life Long Learning, taking place at the George Leach Centre (GLC) located on the Sault Ste. Marie campus of Algoma University. Celebrations run from Saturday, March 4 to Sunday, March 5, 2023.

The Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students’ Association (SASA), Anishinaabe Academic Resource Centre (AARC), Anishinaabe Peoples Council and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig at Algoma University in partnership with the greater Anishinaabe community welcome everyone to attend and participate in Anishinaabe culture which includes traditional drumming, singing, and competition dancing. Indigenous artisans, craftsmen and traders will also be displaying and selling their work at the event. 

The Gathering at the Rapids (GATR) Pow Wow Committee is proud to announce an incredible line-up of guests that will help us celebrate this highly anticipated event. Joel Syrette will be the Master of Ceremonies for the weekend-long celebration. Charging Horse will rock this year's host drum duties with Bear Creek from Batchewana First Nation co-hosting. Head Veteran responsibilities will be overseen by Jan Ritchie. Arena Director responsibilities have been passed to Jose Quintero while the Drum contest will be overseen by Head Drum Judge Kevin Syrette. This year’s Head Dance judges are Kristol Abel and Paul Syrette.

Grand entries will take place on Saturday, March 4 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Sunday, March 5 at 12 p.m. A feast will be held on Saturday, March 4 at 5 p.m., we encourage you to bring your feast bundles. There will also be a variety of Anishinaabe crafts and traditional food vendors located onsite at the GLC and in the Speak Easy located at Algoma University. 

“The Gathering at the Rapids Pow Wow on the Algoma University Sault Ste. Marie campus is always an exciting time to celebrate Anishinaabe traditions and culture,” shared Paul Sayers, Manager, Indigenous Community Relations, Training and Development at Algoma University. “We invite everyone to join us as we share in this celebration.”

The GATR Pow Wow began seventeen years ago, spearheaded by the Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students’ Association (SASA), and has become one of the largest Pow Wows in the Algoma region. This honour and recognition is a result of the generous support of various community sponsors such as Waabinong Head Start Family Resource Centre, Algoma University Alumni, Indigenous Friendship Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario, Gateway Casino of Sault Ste. Marie, Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Sault Community Career Centre, N1 Solutions, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Mamaweswen North Shore Tribal Council, Steel Plant USW Local 9548 and Quality Inn and Suites

Out-of-town participants are invited to stay at the host hotel, Quality Inn and Suites Bay Front at a discounted rate. To book a room, please call 1-800-567-4421 and request the “Gathering at the Rapids” rate.

Admission and parking are free, and all events are open to the public. Canned food donations for the Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU) Food Pantry are greatly appreciated.

For more information, please contact Amber Jones at 705-949-2301, ext. 4816 or at amber.jones@algomau.ca