WAG & Indigenous Music Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with Virtual Powwow

Community Invited to Tune in to the Livestream from Home
 

The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) and Indigenous Music are excited to announce a Virtual Powwow in celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on Sunday, June 21, with grand entry at 1pm. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook from the WAG for all to enjoy at facebook.com/wag.ca.

Event Info:

• The virtual powwow will adhere to the physical distancing guidelines defined by the province of Manitoba.
• Participants are encouraged to dance along to the Facebook Live in their homes or yards and tag the WAG and use hashtag #atwag in social media posts for a chance to win cash. Livestream details will be posted in the Facebook event.
• Full regalia is encouraged but not mandatory.
• Performers include: SummerBear Dance Troupe, Spence Tradition, Shanley Spence, and Darryl Buck, and an Inuit throat singing mother-daughter duo.
• Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais of Indigenous Music will emcee the event.

About Powwows:

• Powwows are a celebration of Indigenous traditions, families, and culture.
• Powwows bring together the young and old through dancing, singing, giveaways, contests, and great food. They are a staple within some Indigenous communities on Turtle Island.

“I’m so pleased that we are able to host the Virtual Powwow celebration in partnership with AMIK.ca and Indigenous Music. The powwow trail isn’t the same this year with the COVID-19 physical distancing guidelines. My hope is that this National Indigenous Peoples Day event will bring the fun of powwows and celebration of Indigenous culture into people’s homes for an afternoon.”
—Julia Lafreniere, Manager of Indigenous Initiatives, Winnipeg Art Gallery

“The WAG’s Indigenization journey is at the heart of our mission to connect, inspire, and inform through art. This National Indigenous Peoples Day, we are honoured to host our first virtual powwow in partnership with AMIK.ca and Indigenous Music. We look forward to continued collaboration with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit communities throughout Manitoba and Canada in the lead up to the opening of the WAG Inuit Art Centre.”
—Dr. Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, Winnipeg Art Gallery

“We’re excited to partner with the Winnipeg Art Gallery for this special National Indigenous Peoples Day event. It’s a new way to gather together in a virtual space but stay true to sharing Indigenous talent  on such a significant day. We hope our Elders, youth, and allies join us online for this wonderful celebration of Indigenous culture, family, and community.”
– Shaneen Robinson-Desjarlais, Indigenous Music Development Coordinator, Manitoba Music