PRIDE AT POWWOW
Pride on display as Eskasoni hosts international powwow
Eskasoni celebrates Mi’kmaq culture as it hosts international gathering.
Eskasoni’s international powwow is helping preserve traditions that were lost for generations.
As part of the 27th annual event, hundreds of dancers dressed in colourful and intricately beaded regalia as they compete for prizes.
Chief Leroy Denny, who served as announcer for Saturday’s ceremonies, said the judges examine consistency, timing and the passion of the dancers.
“They compete but mainly they just love this part of who they are,” said Denny. “They love what they do.
“One thing we’ve noticed is lots of children are dancing these days. It amazes me. It’s because of our education system. We really worked hard to support this way of life.”
Denny said he remembers attending his community’s inaugural powwow in 1991 when he was a teenager. The event has grown from those humble beginnings to now hosting thousands of visitors each year.
“You have an identity crisis at the time — ‘Who am I? What am I doing? Why do you live in this reservation? Why do we speak this language?’ That type of thing,” he said.
“And nobody really danced around here. It wasn’t much of a culture mainly because of the residential school. Our culture almost washed off.”
Each year, the powwow is held in the spirit of reconciliation. As part of the event, visitors can sip tea and sample Mi’kmaq four-cents cake — named for what flour rations used to cost, said Denny. The cake is comprised of a mixture of baking soda, flour and water and is typically eaten with butter or molasses.
“You have to try it — it’s just so addictive,” said Denny. “We’re giving people. We like to share. We just want to promote our community and our culture.”
As part of Saturday’s event, a group of young men mimicked a dance used to pat down grass in the area where a powwow would take place.
Aiden Gloade, 13, of Millbrook was among the grass dancers who helped bless the event grounds.
“I just like seeing everybody
dance,” said Gloade. “It’s all for fun and just to enjoy yourself.”
Many community residents spoke of the joy of watching the younger generation dancing to the sounds of drumming.
Karen Bernard of Eskasoni watched as daughter Bella Paul performed the fancy shawl dance. In the past, she has also performed jingle dances.
“It’s a time of pride where we can actually showcase ourselves to the world,” said Bernard.
“It’s amazing that it’s still in our culture.
“I wasn’t brought up with any culture because of the residential school, and colonization, and all those factors — there was no culture in my life.”
Paul, 12, said the annual event is something she looks forward to every year.
“I just like the sound of the drums,” said Paul. “It makes you want to dance.”
Eskasoni’s powwow continued with a free feast and a fireworks display Saturday evening, then featured the Grand Entry performances Sunday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“It’s a time of pride where we can actually showcase ourselves to the world. It’s amazing that it’s still in our culture.’’
Karen Bernard of Eskasoni