Annual Tipi Raising Competition bridges cultures and builds community
Posted: September 27, 2019 4:15 p.m.
36 teams competed in the annual Glen Anaquod Memorial Tipi Raising Competition learning about Indigenous culture and teamwork. Photos: University Advancement and Communications
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Today, the University of Regina's Dr. Lloyd Barber Academic Green was the site of the annual Glen Anaquod Memorial Tipi Raising Competition, sponsored by K+S Potash. 36 teams worked to raise tipis in record time, while learning about Indigenous culture and values.
The annual Tipi Raising Competition at the University of Regina was initiated in 2008 by the late Cultural & Traditional Advisor Glen Anaquod (1948 - 2011) from Muscowpetung First Nation. The Anaquod family has a history of participating in Tipi Raising Competitions held during Treaty 4 celebrations. It was Advisor Anaquod's wish to involve the University campus faculty, students, staff, and wider community in such competitions.
A fitting event to round out the University of Regina's Indigenous Research Week, serving as a fun, friendly, and engaging environment for hands-on learning about Indigenous culture and values. Getting up close and personal with the innovative structure of the tipi allows teams to explore what the tipi has to teach us in terms of our values, tending to our homes and families, the importance of teamwork, listening and observing, styles of leadership, and our ability to persevere in the face of obstacles.
"This is the second year we've entered Team Misysowim and it's great to see our high school students participating in a U of R event that highlights their own culture," says Chasity Delorme CIL'12, CERBHS'13, BHS'15, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Advisor at Miller Catholic Comprehensive High School. "The more inclusive the educational experience, the more meaningful and successful it is for our students."
K+S Potash Canada has been the title sponsor of the event for seven years. Terry Bird, Manager, Indigenous Relations for K+S Potash, has participated in the event for several years, through judging, speaking on behalf of K+S Potash, and interacting with participants, organizers, and the Anaquod Family.
Terry says that K+S Potash believes in providing young people with access to more moments that inspire confidence, creativity, and character. The University's Tipi Raising is a perfect fit for K+S Potash as their areas of community commitment focus on young peoples' growth, health and wellbeing, and developing leadership. K+S Potash believes that together we can empower the young people in our communities and create lasting, meaningful change.
"The University of Regina is a partner that plays a key role as an educator for students as well as a communication conduit for industries and companies that seek to employ Indigenous people," explains Terry. "We see the opportunity to sponsor the Glen Anaquod Tipi Raising Competition as a way to raise awareness of our company's goals to attract, retain, and encourage Indigenous students to think about aligning their studies in areas that coincide with our company's current and future employment needs."
K+S Potash continues to support U of R students through the K+S Potash Canada Legacy Award, which encourages and promotes higher education for Indigenous students in the areas of Engineering, Business Administration and Science within the energy and mining sectors.
Each year two students receive the award, one in the fall semester and one in the winter.