Huron Heights Secondary School hosts first-ever powwow

Huron Heights Secondary School in Kitchener hosted its first-ever powwow on Friday, which was also a first for the Waterloo Region District School Board.

"The fact that it became a reality, it's crazy," said Grade 11 student Maegan Boyter-Mandawoub, who organized the event to showcase her Indigenous heritage.

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Students from all over the region attended, including 30 students from Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener. 

"Many are excited, some are anxious as they didn't know what to expect," said Adam Kasper, who teaches Indigenous studies at Eastwood.

"Eastwood is on Indigenous land and so is Huron Heights, and so I hope they learn about these cultures that have existed for thousand of years and continue to exist."

Students weren't the only ones at the powwow. Around 60 members of the local Indigenous community took part in the event.

"We as a community really need to come together," said Christina Restoule, head female dancer.

"I hope that all the youth coming today, I hope they realize that they are, each and every one of them, individually part of truth and reconciliation."