Max Pahtayken
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Daily Herald
Mistawasis Nehiyawak First Nation held their traditional powwow from August 18-20 to reconnect the community to culture, and to honour loved ones.
Misatwasis powwow held many specials, alongside their traditional non-competitive category dancing, as well as fireworks on Wednesday August 19.
“A lot of laughter, a lot of people socializing, reconnecting back to the community, (and) not only to the community, but to the land,” said Councillor Kelly Watson from Mistawasis Nehiyawak.
The gathering is hosted every two years, due to cost limitations, however many community members of Mistawasis, both on and off reserve remain committed to attending the event to reconnect with their families and culture.
Mistawasis powwow hosted many specials such as the Chief and Council Men’s and Women’s Traditional Special, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Red Dress Special, a Diverse Ability Special, a Two Spirited Special, memorial specials hosted by local families, and specials for each dance category.
The gathering followed the release of seven buffalo into Mistawasis, gifted from the Louis Bull Tribe in Alberta on August 17.
“It’s making that connection back to the buffalo, we have many sacred stories about why we honour the buffalo in our ceremonies and things such as that,” said Watson. “Again, it’s about reconnecting our people back with even those teachings, and we’ll do that, we’ll achieve that over time.”
Mistawasis Child and Family Services organized a parade during the powwow on Wednesday August 19.
Watson noted that typically Mistawasis powwow has a larger turnout of about 500 dancers, but this year’s event has been a bit smaller.
“Powwows are not only to showcase our culture, our language, our dancing, our singing, but also a time to honour our people, to remember people that we’ve lost as well,” said Watson when talking about the emotional memorial specials that took place over the week.
Watson also noted the spiritual aspect of the powwow, and how the community prepared for the event with ceremony, and followed the three day event with a closing ceremony to give thanks for the event.
“I would encourage all our non-native brothers and sisters to take time to connect to our communities and to learn about us, because there’s so many misconceptions and negativities out there,” said Watson.
The councillor further went on to explain how there are aspects of the powwow such as the intertribals, where non-indigenous people can join in, and experience the spirit of the drum and the powwow in a beautiful, sacred way.
“I endorse it wholeheartedly, I want people to know about us and what we have to offer, not only to our people, but to a nation as a whole,” Watson said. “We have many things to offer, and for myself, it’s open arms. Come to our community, come learn about us, come and participate in our ceremony.”
Max Pahtayken/Daily Herald
A photo of the fireworks on Wednesday night at Mistawasis Nehiyawak Traditional Powwow that took place on August 18-20.
