West Kildonan Collegiate celebrated its first Winter Solstice Indigenous Feast on December 21st. The WK Commons was abuzz with holiday decorations and greeting card making supplies for WK families and neighbours while they visited. The feast was hosted by student MC Tye McIvor who welcomed elders, dignitaries and special guest performers and speakers. The Teenage Bears drum group set a beautiful tone with a number of Indigenous drum songs through the evening. Elsie Bear’s Kitchen provided great stew and bannock while WK’s foods classes and Indigenous Cultural Credit group students baked a wide range of cookies and dainties. Guest speaker MLA Bernadette Smith shared part of her story of embracing her culture as she grew up and emphasized the important time we’re in, a time of reconciliation and mutual growth in Canadian society. Tye McIvor also shared about the meaning of the Winter Solstice as a time of leaving the long night and heading into a time of rebirth and new life with warmth and longer days on the horizon. Guests were treated to an amazing jigging demonstration by one of the now u-tube famous Poplar River Steppers, Ashton Bushie. WK’s own Lessin Thomas joined the Teenage Bears drum group in bringing feast goers the heartbeat of this music tradition. Families and friends left with baking and a greeting card for loved ones. The feast was a first and a wonderful evening. A hearty miigwech for all of the staff and students who helped plan and host the feast!!
