The University of Manitoba Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA) along with a working group hosted the eighth annual Miskofest on Friday, March 7 to celebrate Indigenous cultures on campus.
The drop-in event, held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in UMSU University Centre, featured opening remarks from Knowledge Keeper Brenda Longclaws with the college of nursing and showcased multiple performances throughout the day.
“Miskofest is a chance for students who are Indigenous and non-Indigenous to come together and really celebrate the beauty of Indigenous culture,” said Michaela de Hoop, University of Manitoba Students’ Union Indigenous students’ representative.
Chloe Touzin, a Saulteaux and French Canadian beader and one of the vendors at the event, stated that “just being with other Indigenous people for the day, all day, is really special. I love it.”
“I also think it’s a really good opportunity for non-Indigenous students and staff to come in and experience and learn, and also appreciate Indigenous culture.”
Performances included powwow dancing from the Flett-Roulette family and drumming from the Grandfather Stone Drum Group.
Roger Greene, a drum group member with approximately 30 years of experience in powwow singing, explained that there are always two songs in category dancing. “There’s a straight song and then there’s a second song, we call that a specialty song.”
Greene mentioned that there are “many different types of dancing,” noting that different dancers — such as grass dancers, traditional dancers and jingle dress dancers — all have certain categories of songs that belong to them with different beats.
The event also showcased traditional Inuit throat singing by Aleatra Sammurtok and Caramello Swan.
Sammurtok, who works at Tunngasugit Inuit Resource Centre in Winnipeg, explained that her mother comes from Chesterfield Inlet in Nunavut and that she has been throat singing for 18 years. “It takes a lot of practice,” she said.
“The hardest part of throat singing I would say is breathing, learning when and how to breath,” said Swan, who started learning the musical performance when she was one year old.
Lunch included bannock which was provided by Shelly’s Indigenous Bistro with ice cream donated from Dairy Farmers of Canada.
The Red River Jig was performed by Sarah Shuttleworth, a Red River Métis student in the faculty of law.
“I’ve been dancing since I could walk,” she said. “My grandma was a jigger and she taught me how to dance. I love to share my culture and my dancing as much as possible, whenever I can.”
Miskofest sponsors included the UMSU Indigenous Community, the office of the vice-president (Indigenous), Keewatin Tribal Council, the Science Students’ Association and the Interdisciplinary Health Program Students’ Association. Other sponsors consisted of Norway House Cree Nation, Dairy Farmers of Canada, UMSU Women’s Centre and the women and gender studies program.
“I think the biggest takeaway would be to see the thriving Indigenous community on campus and in Winnipeg and around,” said de Hoop, who noted that a lot of youth were in attendance.
“Especially Indigenous events, it’s really about bringing together older generations and younger generations and just creating that beautiful space where everyone can celebrate the culture,” she said.
Attendees were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and hygiene products for a chance to win prizes. Donations are to be provided to the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre.
