ANCIENT TRADITION, NEW EVENT
Colourful dancers take part in the inaugural powwow at K-Days, which is hosting First Nations members from Treaty Six and across Canada.
Behind the standard sounds of the midway — the whimsical music and whooshing as rides go ’round and ’round — the rhythmic drumming and singing of the K-Days traditional powwow breaks through.
Following your ears, your eyes are treated to the sight of talented dancers and brightly coloured regalia.
This is the first year K-Days has included a traditional powwow. Organizers hope it won’t be the last.
“In 100 years from now, I hope we will be celebrating powwow as part of K-Days on an annual basis not an inaugural basis,” Northlands CEO Tim Reid said.
K-Days takes place on Treaty 6 territory.
“A lot of people don’t know that there are 18 nations surrounding Edmonton, so I think this is a great way to educate the public,” said Eva Potts, a member of the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and one of the powwow organizers.
The powwow is being held in the spirit of reconciliation. It’s an opportunity to build relationships and share indigenous culture with non-indigenous peoples, Alexis Nakota Sioux Chief Tony Alexis said.
As a traditional powwow, there are a variety of categories of dancers, but there is no competition.
“You just dance for the spirit and the enjoyment of expression of oneself,” Alexis said.
A number of drumming circles surrounded the open turf where the dancing takes place, providing the beat.
“If there weren’t any drum groups in the powwow circle, then you would have no powwow,” said Frank Buffalo, a drummer with Enoch Cree Nation’s River Cree drumming circle.
“You need drums to bring in the spirit,” he said.
Each day of the powwow is devoted to a different theme. The first focused on Treaty 6 and reconciliation, with subsequent themes addressing education/knowledge, sharing culture, water, youth, mental health, murdered and missing indigenous women, climate change, recognition of heroes and the future.
For Potts, whose sister Misty Faith Potts has been missing since March 2015, the murdered and missing indigenous women theme is particularly close to her heart.
Misty Potts was really active in the powwow community, her sister said.
While the case is still open, her sister said she’s putting it in God’s hands and praying for answers.
“Having a theme at a powwow keeps everybody in that focus and as the dancers dance every theme is like a prayer that’s being acknowledged to the creator,” Alexis said.
Opening with a theme of reconciliation reflects the initial intent behind the powwow, and highlights the ongoing efforts needed to build relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
“We have to find that common ground of peace so we can move forward together and celebrate our cultures, work together building our communities, building our nation,” Alexis said.
The powwow runs from 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A lot of people don’t know that there are 18 nations surrounding Edmonton, so I think this is a great way to educate the public.