Lethbridge College celebrated another cultural whirlwind.

 

From Oct. 18-20 the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Awareness Days took place at the college.

 

The three-day event was supposed to kick-off with the erection of the school’s tipi but it was not set up, due to lack of volunteers.

 

The official start to FMNI days was opening ceremonies. Featuring speeches by Tracy Edwards, president of the college; Beverly Hungary Wolf, elder; Brandon McNally, vice-president of student life; and Tressa Yellow Horn, FNMI club president.

 

“Here at Lethbridge College we’re proudly residents in Blackfoot territory. It’s an opportunity for us to showcase Blackfoot arts, music and food,” said Edwards.

 

Hungary Wolf was last year’s honorary recipient for the college.

 

“I was really glad I was chosen. A lot of my people’s knowledge is not taken into consideration. I’m really glad the college is looking at the Indian people of the area and trying to integrate their ways into the college.”

 

Travis Plaited Hair, program MC, was also glad FNMI Awareness Days were again being held at the college.

 

“It’s very important. We want to recognize that the FNMI is active here on campus,” said Plaited Hair when asked what the support of the community meant to the FNMI community.

 

The college also held an FNMI fashion show. This year’s show used professional, traveling powwow dancers as the models.

 

Lana Water Chief, second-year fashion design student at the college, participated in the show, wearing a traditional jingle dance costume.

 

This year many performing groups came to the college to participate in the events. Including Medicine Young Entertainment, comprised of Jamie Medicine Crane, Curt Young and David Arcand, two-time world hoop dance champion.

 

Young and Medicine Crane played many contemporary songs with a Native American edge, some of which can be found on iTunes under Curt Young.

 

Many of their songs were inspirational and they demonstrated that theme throughout their entire performance.

 

“Follow your dreams. Don’t let anyone pull you down because you’re the only one that can follow them,” Medicine Crane said.

 

Arcand, who has also toured with Colin James, showed the audience different styles of hoop dancing.

 

“Today I’m going to dance and tell a story and hopefully everyone feels good watching the dance,” Arcand said.

 

After his time at FNMI days, Arcand left to perform in Calgary for the judges in round two of Canada’s got Talent.

 

This year’s FNMI days also featured a hand drum contest, Indian taco sales and stew, made right in the college’s Piita Pawanii Centre, free for students.

 

 

Photo: FNMI Awareness week at Lethbridge College began on Oct. 17 and went until the 21. Photo taken by Hayley Tanner