Powwow project empowers youth to lead

Denae Bruce believes that traditional mentorship encourages youth to gain a deeper understanding of who they are, which helps build their confidence. It also inspires them to participate in other forms of cultural knowledge-sharing and exchange.

These beliefs led to The Small Fires Indigenous Mentorship Program (SFIM) that was created to engage and connect First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students, as well as non-Indigenous students, through cultural-based programming. Entirely volunteer-run, the program, offered through the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD), is the school’s direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action.

“These kinds of experiences empower youth by reinforcing their cultural identity while teaching them the importance of community and continuity,” says Bruce, an Indigenous coach, at LPSD. “Through this empowerment, they are encouraged to become leaders in their own right while advocating for their culture and contributing to its overall preservation for future generations.”

Upon learning the Lloydminister Museum + Archives would host the “Powwow! Ohcîwin The Origins” exhibit in January 2024, Bruce recognized there was an opportunity for a collaborative project that would benefit the students involved in the SFIM. With many skilled traditional dancers in the school, Bruce also knew the project would be beneficial for all students and would help foster a deeper understanding of culture for the division and community overall.

“I knew our involvement would align with our division's mandate and be particularly meaningful to the students,” Bruce says. “It is so important for Indigenous youth to be mentored by Elders and Knowledge Keepers who carry deep wisdom and are there to guide them through cultural teachings.”

The project enhanced each students’ existing dancing skills while sharing a deeper understanding on the traditional meaning behind each dance category and further explanations about the dance regalia. These meanings were shared with a larger audience, which promoted an environment that celebrated cultural teachings and traditions, further enriching the Lloydminster community with Indigenous history, traditions and insights.

“Cultural projects, such as the “Powwow! Ohcîwin The Origins” exhibit, invite the wider public to engage and learn while fostering an understanding, mutual respect and inclusion,” says Bruce. “Ultimately, they build unity, resilience, and a collective sense of purpose, which are essential for a thriving community.”

Bruce goes on to say, “Perhaps the most impactful moments were witnessing the younger students come out of their shell and dance with so much pride and joy. The project, as well as the partnership with the mentors, provided a powerful sense of connection and validation for the students involved. It elevated their experience while deepening their pride in their culture.”

The Lloydminister Museum + Archives received support from SaskCulture’s Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership (AACL) Grant, funded by the Sask Lotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recreation.