Elders' gathering draws 3,000

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The Twelfth Annual Elders' and Traditional Peoples' Gathering was "the best gathering yet," according to a poll of participants done by Johna Hupfield, one of eight co-ordinators.

The largest gathering of its kind in Canada attracted more than 3,000 participants to Peterborough, Ontario's Trent University. This three day event, Feb. 17-19, offered a manifold of contemporary and traditional activities focusing on this year's theme, Family Growth Through Our Elders.

"The gathering's objective is to provide teachings, following oral traditions, from respected Aboriginal people to Native and non-Native communities alike," said co-ordinator Sharon Beaucage.

There were more than 50 workshops ranging from Medicine Wheel to Being Indian Today.

The 19 invited Elders and traditional people came from as far away as British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Arizona. Jake Thomas, an Iroquois Elder and former Trent University faculty member, feels there are a limited number of Elders with full knowledge of their own culture.

"One of the best you can get (for gathering) is a true Elder who lives with their culture," said Thomas, who taught workshops on Creation and How Traditions Came

To Be.

Each of the Elders were teamed up with two student volunteer helpers for the duration of the gathering. Being an Elder's helper is "a big responsibility, you have to be really dedicated," said Amy Nowgabow, a first year Trent student, about her role as a helper for Francis "Eagleheart" Cree.

There was also a feast held for the Elders and their helpers that was sponsored by the Peterborough Native Friendship Centre.

There were a number of activities to take part in over the three days and one of the highlights was Saturday night's powwow and social.

"Powwows and socials are far more than just a social activity, we can see our people at their best. Yes, we are still a magnificent people," said Avis Archambault, an invited Elder.

This social gathering drew close to 4,000 people, including a number of vendors and traders, to the Peterborough Memorial Centre.

Claude "Shingosi" Latoure an artisan and six-year veteran trade to the gathering, feels that a central part of sharing culture is through art, and at the gathering artists are represented as much as speakers. Late Saturday evening the vendors and traders were sharing the arena floor with traditional drummers and dancers.

Another highlight, and something new to the gathering this year, was a concert that featured Native artist and Juno award nominee Tom Jackson. Other Native performers included: Janu Lauzon, also a Juno nominee, and singer Edna Manitowabi, a professor at Trent University and an Elder.