Please Join Us At The Annual Traditional Graduation Pow Wow!

A Pow Wow is a celebration; it is a cultural event that brings people and nations together and an opportunity to hear traditional drum songs and see all different types of dancing. The day-long celebration includes an opening Pipe Ceremony, presentations to the graduates and a community feast in the afternoon. All activities are free and everyone is welcome.
This year’s Graduation Pow Wow takes place on May 7th at the Investor’s Group Athletic Centre at the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry Campus. Our current schedule of events is as follows:
- 9:30 am — Pipe Ceremony
- 1 pm — Grand Entry
- 2:30 pm — Honouring the graduates
- 4 pm — Feast and cultural programming resumes
- 6 pm — Hoop Dancers (please register in advance)
- 7 pm — Closing Prayer and payouts
Information for Guests and Visitors
Thank you for coming to celebrate the success of our Indigenous graduates! You are invited to attend all parts of the day.
Please arrive before 9:30 a.m. so that you can be seated before the start of the ceremony. Women are asked to wear long skirts to honour the teachings of this ceremony, which may last up to an hour.
Please note: All visitors, community members and other UM graduates are asked to enter the Investors Group Athletic Centre gymnasium via the stairs/elevator to the third floor.
After the Pipe Ceremony, guests will be asked to return to their seats in the visitors’ area as preparations begin for the dancers and singers.
For the rest of the day, you are encouraged to watch the beautiful and different types of Pow Wow dances, visit the craft tables on the third floor, and attend the community feast after the honouring of the graduates at 2:30 p.m. This year the feast will be served in Investors Group Athletic Centre.
Please note that there are various times throughout the day when visitors are encouraged to come down to the Pow Wow floor. These may include: Intertribal Dances and Specials like the Hoop Dance. The emcee will explain and announce these opportunities.
If you have any questions throughout the day, please look for volunteers wearing black t‑shirts or staff/security helpers.
For more information, please visit our website!