Bailey Sutherland, Daily Herald
One Arrow First Nation celebrated its 20th annual powwow on July 20th and 21st. It was a success, with more than 563 dancers and 10 vendors that participated.
The theme this year was, “Honor our Elders and Youth”. Kristen Ledoux, community navigator for One Arrow First Nations and member of the powwow committee, says this is because they both play a big role within the community.
“Our youth are our future leaders and our elders have paved the way for them. We honored them at each Grand Entry, we gave the youth Superpasses and the elders were honored with a star blanket”.
There were nine specials all together, including the crowning of the 2019 Princess and Warrior. A boy and a girl who sold the most tickets and fundraised the most money won the titles. They represent One Arrow First Nations at every powwow, as well as sport beaded crowns and headbands. A portion of the money fundraised is raffled off to whoever purchased tickets, and the rest is given to the princess and warrior to help with travel expenses.
Dancers could also participate in a “Hat and Boot special”, where “they dress up in cowboy outfits and the more that they wear, like boots, spurs, and chaps, will get them placed and they could be a winner”, says Delores Paul, former president and current coordinator of the powwow committee.
Amongst the many food vendors, was a hidden gem with a sign that read “SaskStarBlankets”. A collaborative project that sells ribbon skirts, ribbon shirts, and dancer’s regalia, their work can be seen at many local powwows.
Irene Andrew, creator of some of the work seen at the SaskStarBlanket booth, says she started sewing dancer’s regalia a while back, and continues to “make whatever is needed”, such as capes and shawls.
You can visit SaskStarBlankets on their Facebook page or find their booth at a local powwow.
