Russell Nahdee, Ryan Flannagan, and Simon Du ToitCampus celebrities Russell Nahdee, Ryan Flannagan, and Simon Du Toit will test their culinary skills in a chili cook-off, November 15 in a teepee in the Campus Community Garden.

Teepee sleepers invite guests for food and fundraising

Students plan to spend Wednesday night sleeping outside to show their commitment to First Nations issues and invite the campus community to make a contribution.

The Sleepy in the TiiPii event will see members of the Native Student Alliance stay overnight in a teepee pitched in the Campus Community Garden outside 372 California Avenue. They are seeking pledges of donations toward their club, as well as two causes:

  • the Can-Am Indian Friendship Centre, which is searching for a new location since being flooded out of its previous home; and
  • the Tiny House Warriors project to stop the Kinder Morgan TransMountain pipeline from crossing unceded Secwepemc Territory.

President Jessica Chenier says the alliance has set a goal of $1,000. Club members invite visitors to discuss the living conditions in First Nations communities across Canada, and to join them for two meals — a lunch of traditional corn soup and fry bread, and a celebrity chili cook-off for dinner.

The lunch will begin at noon and continue until 3 p.m. while supplies last, in exchange for a free-will donation.

Dinner is served at 5 p.m. and will consist of five batches of chili, including vegetarian and tomato-free options, by three cooks well-known to the campus community: Outstanding Scholars program co-ordinator Simon Du Toit; associate vice-president, student experience, Ryan Flannagan; and Aboriginal Education Centre co-ordinator Russell Nahdee.

Vote for your favourite. The winner gets bragging rights, and if this video is any indication, they are ready to brag:

Kathryn Pasquach, Aboriginal outreach co-ordinator, says the event promises to be a lot of fun.

“The campus really won’t want to miss out on this event. It’s a great time to socialize and support some great initiatives,” she says. “The commitment and dedication these students have made is incredible.”

Learn more on the Facebook event page.