Indigenous students and Indigenous Student Associations from across the Ottawa Catholic School Board came together on May 22 for the board's second annual Cultural Celebration and Powwow, hosted at Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School in Ottawa.

The student-led event turned the school's football field into a gathering place for a full day of music, dance, food and shared learning, according to the Ottawa Catholic School Board.

A day led by students

The board described the celebration as an example of students taking the lead rather than simply participating. Students served as organizers, collaborators and hosts, creating a space for connection between cultures, schools and communities across the OCSB.

Drumming and dancing anchored the day, with performances by jingle dress, hoop, grass, fancy shawl and traditional dancers. The program also included Métis jigging and throat singing.

The board said each performance carried stories, history and meaning for those watching.

Vendors, Elders and community partners

Local Indigenous vendors and food providers were on site, offering affordable items and meals that gave visitors a hands-on experience of Indigenous culture. Community partners also attended, providing opportunities for conversation, learning and relationship-building.

Elders shared wisdom and knowledge with those gathered, offering reflections that the board said grounded the day in respect, understanding and connection. For many attendees, those quieter moments were the ones that stayed with them longest.

Tied to the board's spiritual theme

The event reflected the board's spiritual theme for the year, "Open Doors, Build Bridges, Nourish New Beginnings." According to the board, the gathering opened the door to understanding, built bridges between communities, and created new beginnings rooted in respect and learning.

The board also connected the celebration to its broader goals of being community, supporting student well-being, and encouraging authentic, student-led experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom.

This year marked the second time the event has been held, after the first celebration was launched in 2025.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board notes that its schools are located on the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Peoples.