The U of M Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA) hosted the ninth annual Miskofest on March 20, a day-long celebration of Indigenous, Métis and Inuit culture in the university community. UMISA co-cultural coordinator and next year’s UMSU Indigenous students’ rep Rayden Seela shared that, featuring various performers and speakers, the day served as a way “of celebrating […] a wide variety of all Indigenous culture.” Guest speakers included Manitoba’s minister of advanced education and training Renée Cable, along with U of M vice-president (Indigenous) Angie Bruce.
Sam North, a student at Yellowquill University College, was invited along with her class to attend Miskofest. For North, the event put community first and foremost. “I knew the drummer [and] one of the grass dancers […] I also knew one of the throat singers” shared North. “It’s pretty cool to see a lot of people I knew come together in community and spread good vibes.” When asked what her highlight of the day was, North laughed. “The draws! […] but, the whole day altogether has been really good for me.” Donations for the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre were collected at the raffle table, with a draw ticket given for each non-perishable good brought in.
Vendor and U of M student Lucy Lindell was selling beadwork along with prints featuring her first solo exhibition at the Manitoba Museum. For Lindell, the event means a reframing of the U of M community as a whole. “As an Indigenous student […] I’ve had a very mixed experience at the University of Manitoba, sadly, with discrimination and racism, but it’s events like this that bring me into the university where I have a greater respect and […] fonder memories.”
A feature of Miskofest was the contests, of which there were many, including an on-the-spot jigging lesson followed by a contest, won by Mackaila Bruce-Tapley. Bruce-Tapley attributed her win to the women in her life. “I just learned [jigging] from watching my family and my aunties do it all the time.”
The jigging lesson was led by Jessica Burzuik, Métis inclusion coordinator at the U of M and the Manitoba Métis Federation. Burzuik shared that she learned to jig at an event hosted by Migizii Agamik’s Karen Courchene, also known as Kookum Karen.
For Burzuik, Miskofest’s importance not only lies in what it is about, but who is running the show. “It’s so much fun, a bunch of wonderful Indigenous folks coming together,” she said. “[It’s] all student-led and really important work. [I’m] so happy to support them.”
To stay tuned for future UMISA events, check out their Instagram @umisacouncil.
