"I danced past my wound, beyond the trauma of our collective intergenerational pain and forward to the hopes of a good future for my people.
It was an empowering spiritual victory. Now, whenever I dance I know how important it is to bring my spirit along.
And, how powerful it can be when people bring that energy together at the same time. This is the power of powwow."
Nahnda Garlow (Onadaga Beaver Clan, Six Nations of the Grand River)
as quoted in Powwow: A Celebration through Song and Dance (Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane.)
Curious about attending a pow-wow? Not sure if you should? Uncertain about what to expect?
Join MCA's Pow-wow Prep 101 Zoom call. June 13, 6:30-8:00 p.m. MDT
email bridgebuilding@mcab.ca or communications@mcab.ca for the zoom link
Suzanne Gross, MCA Bridge Building Facilitator, and Ruth Bergen Braun, an Indigenous ally and photographer, will host this evening. Although neither are Indigenous, they will be sharing what they have learned from their Indigenous friends. Special guest pow-wow dancers have been invited!
Learn some pow-wow history, what to expect when you attend, get an introduction to the various dance styles and more.
Get to know your Indigenous neighbours this summer!
Find a powwow!
Alberta and Saskatchewan Pow-wows
https://www.facebook.com/groups/73631678963
https://calendar.powwows.com/events/categories/pow-wows/pow-wows-in-alberta/
Manitoba Pow-wows
https://www.facebook.com/groups/20167551026
Exhaustive list (pinned post)
https://www.facebook.com/mariah.carp
Ruth's summer calendar:
June 21 Heritage Park -- National Indigenous Peoples Day 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
June 22 Stampede Park. 9 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Enmax Centre, Elbow River Camp, Stampede Grounds
June 27 Siksika Arbour -- Prairie Chicken Dance World Championship 1:00 p.m.
(Young Chicken Dancers at the World Championships.)
June 28/29/30 Siksika Arbour -- Siksika Nation Fair. Friday 7:00 p.m. Saturday 1:00/7:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m.
(Chief and Council at the Siksika Fair, part of the Grand Entry dignitaries.)
July 7-8 Calgary Stampede -- Blessing 12:30 p.m. Roll call 12:45. Grand Entry 1:00 p.m.
July 19-21 Standoff, Alberta -- Kainai Days Friday 7:00 p.m., Saturday 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m.
July 26-28 Redwood Meadows -- Tsuut'ina Friday 7:00 p.m., Saturday 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m.
August 9-11 Samson Cree -- Bear Park, Maskwacis -- Friday 7:00 p.m., Saturday 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m.
August 30-September 1 -- Mînî Thnî/Morley (Stoney Nakoda)
September 28/29 Honouring Traditions Powwow (Lethbridge/Kainai) Details soon.
(committed to attending some but not all)
Suzanne's summer calendar
June 21 from 10:00 to 1:30 p.m. Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society Indigenous community Powwow
July 13-14 Enoch Cree Nation Powwow
Six Mennos from three Edmonton congregations joined the indigenous community gathered on the Enoch Cree Nation Ceremonial grounds. We shared Saskatoons with our neighbours, who had two young daughters registered as dancers in their age category. Dancing is one way to contribute to healing communities and Mother Earth. We all said Hai Hai to that.
Aug 9-11 Samson Cree Nation Powwow celebration
Jonathan's summer calendar