Indigenous dancer at the Stone Pipe Pow Wow at Lethbridge College, May 29, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

By Mario Cabradilla

Stone Pipe Pow Wow wraps up Lethbridge College convocation celebrations

May 30, 2022 | 3:40 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge College hosted the two-day Stone Pipe Pow Wow May 28-29, 2022 in celebration of Lethbridge College Spring 2022 graduates. It was also a celebration of the Indigenous community at the college, according to Lowell Yellowhorn, Indigenous Services Manager at the college.

“We’re celebrating all our grads here at Lethbridge College, as well as showcasing the Indigenous culture that we have on campus,” said Yellowhorn, explaining why the celebration is tied to the college’s convocation ceremonies.

Pow wow is a celebration where various Indigenous nations come together to sing, dance, and honour their tradition and culture.

Indigenous dancer at the Stone Pipe Pow Wow at the Lethbridge College, May 29, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Indigenous dancer at the Stone Pipe Pow Wow at the Lethbridge College, May 29, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

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On the afternoon of the Stone Pipe Celebration’s final day, music resounded throughout the Val Matteotti Gymnasium, as the powerful beating of drums echoed in unison with dancing and singing.

Drummers accompany Indigenous dancers at the Stone Pipe Pow Wow at Lethbridge College, May 29, 2022. (Photo: LNN)

It was the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the college was able to celebrate the event in person.

“Families are getting the opportunity to connect with their loved ones, as well as celebrate, and that’s a key component of this pow wow,” said Yellowhorn. “We’re celebrating the accomplishments of our Indigenous community here at Lethbridge College, and being able to bring the community on campus.”

Miranda Mountainhorse, who attended the celebration, said it was good to finally celebrate in person again.

“After COVID, we haven’t had pow wows or anything,” said Mountainhorse. “So, it’s really uplifting and it’s good to be united together again.”

The college is planning to make the pow wow an annual event in association with its convocations, according to Yellowhorn.

The event is called the Stone Pipe Pow Wow because in October 2017, the college received its Blackfoot name, Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan, which means Stone Pipe, by Kainai Kaahsinnoonik (Grandparent) Peter Weasel Moccasin, according to the college’s website.

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