Glen Anaquod Tipi Raising Competition

At the Glen Anaquod Tipi Raising Competition, competitors have to erect a tipi similar to this one at FNUniv lawn. Photo by Morgan Esperance.

It’s that time of year when multiple teams of four are handed 15 poles, a canvas, a hammer and pegs to put together a tipi in only 20 minutes.

 

The annual Glen Anaquod Tipi Raising Competition will be on the Academic Green on Friday.

The late Glen Anaquod is from Muscowpetung First Nation; he was the first cultural adviser at the University of Regina’s Aboriginal Student Centre when it first opened. He worked there until 2010.

“He provided cultural support to the students and to the staff as they built their cultural teaching capacity on campus,” said Rachel Janze, Program Co-ordinator at the ASC.

The first tipi raising competition was held in 2008, where Skyler Anderson attended when he was still in high school. Anderson is a student assistant at the ASC and has attended the event almost every year since the competition started,

“I was at the very first one, I think it was in 2008,” said Anderson, “I was just a participant and since coming to university, I was a competitor, I’ve been a judge.

“One year I ran the volunteer table, I still compete and I still judge. I help out with set up and take down of the day. I volunteer with whatever is needed throughout the day.”

Anderson said he enjoys how many people participate and the children that are excited to partake in the activities.

Anaquod, who died in 2011, started the competition to give the on-and-off campus communities opportunities to learn about the tipi teachings, all while having fun. This has brought many people together in celebration of culture and learning. The Anaquod family has a tradition to help with the competition every year.

There are about 45 teams registered in four categories with four team members. Categories are high school, community and campus; all must have two men and two women. The fourth category is all women, which is held in memory of Constance Dubois at the request of the Dubois family. The ages vary from high school to staff and faculty on campus, as long as you are able to put up a tipi. There will also be two mini-tipi demonstrations for elementary students.

There will be a pipe ceremony in the morning, the competition heats will begin at the Academic Green at 10 a.m. and the last heat will be at 3 pm. Volunteers are welcome.

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