A unique cross-cultural experience that includes the sharing of Indigenous traditions, songs, dances, and craftsmanship awaits visitors to Niagara College’s booth during the final weekend of the 2022 Canada Summer Games.
While performances by Indigenous artists of different disciplines and backgrounds have been taking place throughout the event, it’s on August 20 and 21 that Niagara College and Meridian Credit Union will sponsor a line-up of interactive Indigenous programming during a Community of Nations activation at Niagara Place, the free festival hub for the Games.
The Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games are being held on the traditional territory of the Hatiwendaronk, the Haudenosaunee, and the Anishinaabe peoples, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Leah Hogan, Niagara College’s new associate director of Indigenous Education, said Onkwehonwe Games has been invited to the two-day activation to deliver interactive presentations of traditional games that share the history and culture of the Six Nations people.
“[Onkewehonwe Games] will conduct activations to educate on traditional Indigenous games,” Hogan said. “It’s a chance to hear our stories, learn about skill building that occurs when we move through play, and the connection to holistic health and well-being.”
Dallas Squire, who heads up Onkwehonwe Games, said that because storytelling is a part of every game, playing traditional games of the Six Nations of the Grand River is a fun way to learn about local Indigenous culture and understand how everything is interconnected.
“There’s history and culture involved because when people see the games, they don’t have a clue what they are,” said Squire, a former lacrosse player who wrapped up his professional career in 2003 with the New Jersey Storm.
“There are stories that go with the games, so I’ll share those stories whenever possible.”
Currently set up as part of the Six Nations activation space, Squire is already teaching visitors to Niagara Place about Bone and Toggle, the Peach Pit Game and Double Ball, which is similar to current-day lacrosse.
“And of course lacrosse, which is connected to our culture and there’s a story of creation that includes lacrosse,” Squire said. “I have traditional sticks for people to handle and look at.”
In addition to the events planned on August 20 and 21, Hogan said members of the Indigenous Education team have been present at the Games to support Indigenous players and their families, while the Indigenous Centres at both the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses have been made available to provide safes spaces to relax and to access traditional medicines.
“We’re there to represent to be there for our community,” she said.
To that end, Hogan said special ribbon skirts–decorated with ribbons to match Niagara College’s colours–have been made by local artisan Kim Schutt for the Indigenous Education team to wear during the Games.
While typically worn during celebratory events or ceremonies, ribbon skirts can be worn anytime by anyone. They’re a symbol of resilience, sacredness and survival, and are decorated with coloured ribbons that have a special significance to the wearer.
“We will wear our skirts to show our pride in who we are as Ogwehoweh people” she said. “When you see a [ribbon] skirt, you know there’s someone there from your community.”
Located at the Canada Games Park at Brock University, Niagara Place is the site of free daily programming that includes food, music, exhibits and cultural performances. A full list of entertainment and vendors can be found at niagara2022games.ca/niagaraplace.
