CELEBRATING THEIR CULTURE
Event attracts about 200 dancers
Hundreds of dancers, 17 drum groups and their singers at the Kainai First Nation Pow Wow showed off their cultural pride and artistry all weekend long at The Arbour in Red Crow Park in Standoff.
The annual Kainai Pow Wow was the showcase event for a bust weekend of cultural celebration, fun and ceremony on the Kainai First Nation. Along with the colourful sights and driving rhythms of the Pow Wow, Standoff also hosted a rodeo, Indian relay races, hand games and a special appointment ceremony for their new police chief (See Monday’s Herald for more details) in the lead up to the sacred Sundance Ceremony, which is set to take place in a few days time.
But if there was one event which best encapsulated the aspirations, hopes and core identity of the Blackfoot people during the packed weekend of events, it was certainly the Pow Wow as young and old alike gathered in Red Crow Park’s Arbour for the three-day competition and celebration.
About 200 dancers took part in this year’s Pow Wow, and there were 17 traditional drummer and singer groups representing First Nations from across southern Alberta, northern Montana and south west Saskatchewan.
As always for spectators, the Kainai Pow Wow was an event steeped in Indigenous tradition, and a powerful expression of cultural triumph and pride on the long road toward reconciliation.
The Pow Wow circle is always open to anyone, no matter the race or the creed, who comes out. Every guests can partake of all that is offered and, if the spirit moves them, join in the celebration round dance.
The Kainai Pow Wow Celebration ends today.
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