Photo: Eagle Dubois holding the tipi poles at the 15th annual Glen Anaquod Memorial tipi-raising competition
By: Danielle Dufour
MBC News Freelance Correspondent
First Nations University of Canada
Gaylene Anaquod recalls a special memory of her dad, mom, late brother, and uncle in the 80s, when they entered a tipi-raising contest and they timed the best-ever in under five minutes.
Gaylene Anaquod at 15th annual Glen Anaquod Memorial tipi-raising competition
“No one has ever matched that yet,” said Gaylene Anaquod, smiling.
This event in Regina marks the 15th annual Glen Anaquod Memorial tipi-raising competition.
“It brings First Nation Plains culture to this campus,” said John Bird, manager of the ta-tawaw Student Centre at the University of Regina.
Honouring loved ones through the raising of tipis
The15th annual Glen Anaquod Memorial tipi-raising competition, Anaquod and Dubois families demonstrating the tipi build
The first contest started in 2007 at the University of Regina and was named after Gaylene’s dad.
“Elder Glen Anaquod was the original elder in residence and knowledge keeper for the Aboriginal Student Centre,” said Bird.
“His vision was to provide cultural teachings and to share knowledge and bring back tipi raising on campus,” said Anaquod.
The contest participants are divided into four categories, including high school students, campus staff and students, community groups, and an all-women’s category in honour of the late Constance Dubois.
“We attend every year and get excited about the day. It gives us a little memory about him and allows us to see his dream of reconciliation,” said Anaquod.
Right: Jennifer, Eagle, Mike Dubois, family of late Constance Dubois, at the 15th annual Glen Anaquod memorial tipi raising competition.
Mike Dubois feels sentimental knowing that he has now passed the age of his mom’s time on earth.
“My mom was Connie Dubois, and I’m really honoured that the women’s category is a tribute to her and honours her,” said Mike Dubois.
Feeling a sense of responsibility now being the oldest in his family, Dubois wants to pass on what he has learned from his mom.
“She didn’t have much in this world, but the one thing that she really cherished, when she was finally able to afford it, was a tipi,” said Dubois. “That’s something that we still have and put up at my house.”
He even shows his daughter and her friends how to raise their tipi and shares those values with them.
“Everything that represents a tipi is just things that we incorporate into our house, our family, and the way we raise our children,” said Dubois. “One of the greatest values I cherish is a healthy home.”
“To see community members, students, friends, and family continuing on this tradition and having the ability to learn and to raise tipis, it means a lot because it speaks to the fact that those values are continuing on,” said Dubois. “I know my mom would really cherish and appreciate this.”
The Anaquod and Dubois families remain close outside of this annual event.
“I rely on them for a lot of my cultural teachings and a lot of my protocols that I have to follow. Gaylene keeps me in line all the time and tells me, ‘You still have obligations that you need to fill,’” said Dubois.
Everyone who attended enjoyed the competition.
“Dad is looking down on us this day so proud,” said Anaquod.