Sturgeon Lake First Nation wanted to share the culture of the pow wow, so from Aug. 16-18, the First Nation located northwest of Prince Albert invited everyone to their competitive Pow Wow at the Sturgeon Lake Pow Wow Grounds.
Sturgeon Lake Chief Christina Longjohn viewed inviting the public as a step towards reconciliation.
“We want the public to come out and learn our cultural ways, to come and see that we still have ceremony, we still have dance, (and) we still have a pow wow grounds,” Longjohn said.
“A pow wow is a celebration of life, and so we want the greater community to come out and see the vibrant culture that we have, that we were able to showcase from the very smallest Tiny Tots right up to our golden age,” she added.
She said that keeping the Pow Wow going is important because for a time celebrations like them were outlawed.
A pow wow is a cultural gathering that holds deep significance for First Nations across North America. The dances and singing contests are the highlight of the event.
Rain forced pow wow officials to delay the start of some competitions on Saturday, so attendees kept the celebration going with an intertribal dance instead.
The Junior Fancy competition was part of the Sturgeon Lake First Nation Pow Wow on Saturday at the Sturgeon Lake Pow Wow Grounds.
The Tiny Tots performed during the Sturgeon Lake First Nation Pow Wow on Saturday at the Sturgeon Lake Pow Wow Grounds.
“It’s a way of life,” Longjohn said. “We try and teach them from when they’re small and they need to continue this way of life.”
“I would like to see the other nations that we share the land with to come out and learn, to come and sit with us, to celebrate. Just to even to be here, it makes a big difference.”
She said that the actual education happens through being at an event live. She said the lessons learned at the pow wow cannot be taught from textbooks or videos.
“You must be here to appreciate it,” she said.
“We open it up to the public…. We open our doors to anybody that wants to come and watch and enjoy and learn and experience this beautiful life.”
Longjohn said people should also appreciate the work that goes into a pow wow, from organizing to dancing and creating regalia.
Beyond the competitions, pow wows are social gatherings where people reconnect with family and friends and serve as a teaching tool for younger generations. The event also featured an array of food and craft vendors.
Drummers learn the songs from a young age, and pass them on to the next generation.
Her own experience with pow wows came from her grandfather, George Irmine, who was one of the original dancers that brought the pow wow to Sturgeon Lake.
“That came from the Dakota people, our neighbours. It’s really good to see that after so many years that we’re still able to hold one,” she said.
She added that she was not sure how long the pow wow was held, but it was outlawed in the past. Longjohn said she personally does not remember when ceremonies were banned but has heard stories from Elders.
There were 240 registered dancers at the event. The Pow wow included four separate Grand Entries, with one on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday.
“People travel from all over Saskatchewan,” Longjohn said. “We’ve got visitors from as far away as Ontario. It is really nice that they have come a long way to come and celebrate with us.”
