Indigenous students 'show off' culture at Gatineau school powwow

An elementary school in Gatineau is hosting its first powwow this weekend as part of an ongoing effort to embed First Nations culture into an urban school environment.

It's an opportunity for First Nations students at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School to share their culture with non-Indigenous students.

"I hope they learn what a powwow is really like," said Nibi Brazeau, a Grade 4 student originally from Maniwaki. "When I say you dance they think you do the Harlem Shake, or something,"

'Embrace our full community'

Brazeau is one of about 100 First Nations students at the school — about 20 per cent of the total student population. 

Her older sister, Kegona Tenasco Brazeau, said the powwow shows just how much the school has evolved since she was a student there.

"At first, there wasn't much to do with the Native students around the school," she said.

"Now my little sister partakes in different activities at lunchtime and at recess and now we get to show off our culture to the people in Gatineau."

Principal David McFall said the powwow is meant to celebrate the school's community.

"This is something we want to do every year," he said. "To appreciate and respect and embrace our full community and the different cultures."

It's McFall's first time at a powwow — and he, like many others, watched with a big smile as students in full traditional dress danced, sang and drummed.

"There's a richness that's being shared between students, between cultures," McFall said.

The powwow continues Sunday.