Powwows share culture and build relationships

Lethbridge Herald, September 27, 2024

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – HERALD LETHBRIDGE – [email protected]

The Nord-Bridge Senior Center hosted a powwow on Thursday, where dozens of people gathered to engage in traditional dancing and drumming, celebrating Blackfoot culture.

The Honoring Traditions and Reconciliation Society is partnering with Recovery Alberta on the Indigenous Wellness Core grant, which aims to build support in the recovery process and provide Indigenous perspectives and cultural support for Indigenous people. Association president Theron Black said part of that involves attending community events.

“We started this a little over a year ago with our committee. We do a lot of different work in the community for reconciliation,” Black said.

He said they are honoring their traditions while helping the city’s most vulnerable people through some of Alberta Health Services programs.

“We have other programs that we do for the community, like powwows, because we like to give back to the community and build relationships and promote our culture, our dance and other different things that we have,” Black said.

He said that usually when he attends powwows at various events, the crowds are usually quite small, so he was very pleased with the turnout at Nord-Bridge.

“I came here and I was surprised that the room looked full, I’m grateful to see that,” Black said.

He said it was great to see many seniors at the meeting because in Blackfoot culture, older people are held in high esteem.

One of these Elders is Christina Fox (Iitsssaanoowa – Vision Beyond) who attended the event. She provided those present with a singing of blessings and some dancing.

“I was very excited that we came here. Our elderly people are all grandparents to me and we have to take care of them. We need to let them know that they are thought of, that they are loved and, above all, appreciated for everything they have done during their journey, caring for their families and loved ones,” Fox said.

She said that grandparents should be visited, make them smile by recalling good memories, and should be loved, respected and cared for. And she added that throwing them a powwow was a good opportunity to do so.

During the event, the floor was opened to those in attendance, and dozens of people gathered in a circle, held hands and danced along with powwow dancers and Elder Fox.

“We have this beautiful feeling that we are involved in the circle because no one is left outside the circle, and the round dance is about connection, about getting to know each other, we are all neighbors. We should start getting to know each other and share our gifts and talents,” Fox said.

For those who want to experience Blackfoot culture, Black said there will be a powwow at the Agricultural, Food and Trade Center on Saturday and Sunday, with a grand entrance on Saturday at 1 and 7 p.m.

“Then all the dancers are on the floor and everyone is welcome. We only have one big entry on Sunday and we will cover all categories,” Black said.

He said he believes a powwow is the best way to end what can be a very stressful and emotional week for some, filled with conversations about reconciliation, residential schools, missing and murdered women and other things that make it difficult for community members to help themselves.

“So let’s learn all week, let’s feel all the emotions that come from it, and we can end the powwow on a good note,” Black said.

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