Mother Nature’s beat
Lennox Island First Nation Powwow celebrates the heartbeat of Mother Earth
People lean back on lawn chairs, a man tugs his hat, while they listen to the powerful beat of a drum that’s accompanied by singers and dancers in full regalia busting out their moves in a clockwise circle at the Lennox Island First Nation Powwow held on Sunday. “When I was growing up, we didn’t have these celebrations because of residential schools,” explained Lennox Island Chief Matilda Ramjattan. “But there was a group that really felt strongly about drumming and singing and letting us be who we were meant to be. They suffered persecution because, at the time, it was frowned upon, but our community started the powwows about 18 years ago,” she continued. “The medicine wheel has yellow, black, red and white, which means the event is open to all mankind. And we continue to extend our peace and friendship as part of our treaty. But this event is part of our healing, as individuals and as a community, so I’m happy we step up and express our culture.” The powwow is a combination of a family reunion, cultural revival and dance competition. “My wife and I are the head dancers and we lead all the dancers out into the arbour during this powwow and also to look after any of their needs, so we have a role to play, and it’s an honour,” commented Bert ‘One Breath’ Mitchell, from Manitoba. Mitchell came dressed as a traditional buffalo dancer. “It means that we are the warriors and went out to battle,” he explained. “We wear our eagle feathers that we have earned, and every dancer has significance in what they are wearing that goes right down to the colours.” He continued, “I wear 94 pieces and it takes two hours to get dressed, with assistance, but I’ve earned everything that I wear. A lot of my items come from across the country. These bear claws around my neck come from Indianapolis, U.S.,” he said, listing off the unique pieces and where they came from. The powwow begins and ends with the beat of the drum. “There are many different teachings, but the beat of the drum represents the heartbeat of Mother Earth, so we honour this through with our dance,” said Mitchell. Dancers with bells on their skirts cause a jingling sound like rain as they step in time with the drum.