For most of yesterday, MVSD staff and volunteers were at the Selo festival site to get it ready for tomorrow's celebration. They've been deep in the planning phase for their Graduation Powwow for a long time, and now, all that extensive planning is paying off.
Carole Shankaruk, MVSD's Indigenous Education Coordinator, said the prep work at the Selo site went off without a hitch.
"It looks fantastic, we got Tipis up today, we got picnic tables everywhere, the garbage and recycling is good to go, we've got all out workshops set up in the hall, it is going to be an incredible day," said Shankaruk.
Getting ready for the Graduation Powwow was no small feat. MVSD has partnered with a lot of different groups to make it happen. Shankaruk said she's very glad to have partnered with Countryfest and the Selo site to make tomorrow a day the grads won't forget.
"We've partnered with Countryfest, and of course Selo site, and we're also with Dauphin Friendship Centre and Assiniboine College, so all of us working together, that's why this year is going to be such a large community event," said Shankaruk.
Shankaruk said MVSD plans on this event not just being a graduation ceremony, but a community event. They've taken steps to make sure it's attrative to all kinds of people, like shuttles to take people from Dauphin to the Selo site, and a variety of on-site vendors, food trucks, and more. Powwows are designed to be a celebration of life, and Shankaruk said the more people dancing and celebrating, the better.
"Of course it comes from Indigenous worldviews, but it's for all people. So that's why it really speaks to reconciliation, because we're all dancing, and of course as humans, we all want a great life...our theme is Niigaani Miikana, and that means The Road Forward. So we're also honouring all students that are at a transitional phase in their life journey," said Shankaruk.
MVSD's Graduation Powwow will take place tomorrow at the Selo Ukrainia Site from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
