Pelican Falls celebrates 13th annual powwow

Despite the overcast weather conditions, nearly 500 people attended the 13th annual Pow-Wow at Pelican Falls on April 20 and 21.
People came from various destinations to participate in the elaborate festive celebration.
Lola Goodwin, one of the organizers, said about 150 people came to the powwow from out of town to join the students and staff at the school during the powwow.
“We had a lot of help, we had Glen Whiskeychan’s exchange group from Toronto helping us move things and bringing food over,” Goodwin said.
When asked what the powwow meant to her, Goodwin said the event is a celebration.
“It’s a time for celebration the people to come and enjoy themselves, just enjoy what the people used to do a long time ago,” she said. “I would also like to thank everybody that helped us lots, the houses and students and their counsellors they did a lot of cooking too to help us.”
Those who attended the powwow were enthusiastic. Dancers in traditional regalia danced over the two days to the chants and drumming. One of the drum-keepers, a young man named Daniel had this to say when asked what the powwow meant to him.
“It brings a sense of community to my people, I know that there is still lots of turmoil when it comes to historical impacts,” he said.
“When we unite even if these different nations here like the Cree people, Ojibway people and some Sioux people, we are all family here. We share our food together, we share stories, we share songs together and we share dances together. A long time ago we shared together with one another when we have that sense of unity it brings us back to how we were before the interruption happened. It is also a gateway I guess how our sense of celebrations is more of opening door to learning about different kinds of ceremonies, sweat lodge, dark room ceremonies, different things like that. You know you get to meet and greet people, it’s just a community,” he said.
What was pleasing to see was the large number of young people who took to the circle and danced in harmony with the drums. One young traditional hoop dancer, Ricky Kepener performed his art of hoop dancing on both days, enthralling the audience.
At the end of the powwow, there was a giveaway dance for all that attended the days of celebrations. A wonderful ending to two days of sharing and gathering with old and new friends.