PotashCorp Wanuskewin Days a cultural celebration
The 2014 PotashCorp Wanuskewin Days Cultural Celebrations and Powwow takes place this year on June 20, 21 and 22.
The celebrations will begin each day with the Grand Entry. Andrew McDonald, marketing manager with Wanuskewin Heritage Park, explains that the Grand Entry involves “spectators rising as the flags and eagle staffs of the host and visiting tribes are brought in. The drums then begin a grand entry song, and the chief or tribal chair of the host tribe and visiting dignitaries enter the arena, including elders, dancers and youth.”
Three thousand people are expected to take part in this year’s event, including singers and dancers from in and around Saskatoon, but also from as far away as New Mexico. PotashCorp Wanuskewin Days Cultural Celebrations and Powwow is one of the first competitions of the year for the powwow trail. McDonald says that “as far as the competition is concerned, it is always well attended, and in particular, is viewed as being one that is judged fairly and justly. Dancers and singers like competing here, because they know they will be able to have their best efforts recognized.”
This year, seven categories will be judged: Men’s Fancy Dance, Men’s Grass Dance, Men’s Chicken Dance, Men’s Traditional Dance, Ladies’ Fancy Dance, Ladies’ Traditional Dance and Ladies’ Jingle Dance.
There will also be artisan vendors with a wide range of First Nation jewellery, crafts and gifts. Food vendors will be on-site with a variety of food, including bison burgers and bannock.
For the kids this year, Saturday will feature the CBC Kids Area. CBC on-air talent will be on hand to help with activities and prize giveaways. There will also be a bouncy castle and face painting.
For a second consecutive year, the Powwow Princess Pageant competition will be a feature of the celebration at Wanuskewin Days. McDonald says it is a “wonderful opportunity to create and showcase positive role models embracing culture to the youth.”
The young women who compete for this title must submit an essay and a resume that details their education and volunteer work. “We want to get a sense of who they really are as a person,” says McDonald. The winner will represent Wanuskewin at other events along the powwow trail for the next year.
Wanuskewin is also proud to honour First Nations veterans at the celebration. “We are happy for this opportunity to recognize our veterans and elders by having them walk together for the Grand Entry. We want them to know that they are well respected.”
McDonald says that over the years, he has noticed more and more people bringing their young children and grandchildren to the celebration. An increasing number of local schools are also bringing their students to embrace the celebration. “We’ve worked really hard to make this a positive, family friendly event for the community,” says McDonald.
He credits Wanuskewin’s staff and volunteers for creating such a “welcoming environment at our great venue. We try to have 15 to 20 volunteers providing support at any given time, ready to help with parking, directions, handing out brochures or staffing the vendor tents. They are all well prepared and happy to help if you have questions.” The volunteers also help with the set-up and take-down of the event; each phase takes approximately three days.
If you are interested, Wanuskewin would love to add you to their volunteer roster this year. McDonald says “Even though we close the actual building during these three days, it is still a really big operation. We need volunteers on the ground.”
McDonald says that celebrations like Potash Corp Wanuskewin Days Cultural Celebrations and Powwow are important for people of all ages and from all backgrounds. “It is important,” he explains, “because this is more than just reading and hearing about culture. This is experiencing culture. This is seeing it and feeling it, and it really creates understanding and a positive way for everyone to become familiar with First Nations cultures and background.”
If you are interested in volunteering for Wanuskewin Days, please contact Roxanne Parker at 306-931-6767 ext. 221 or by email at roxanne.parker@wanuskewin.com. If you are an interested food or artisan vendor, or are a First Nations veteran interested in joining the Grand Entry, or if you would like any further information or directions, please visit www.wanuskewin.com/wanuskewindays. PotashCorp Wanuskewin Days Cultural Celebrations and Powwow is free to all participants, spectators and community. Friday’s Grand Entry starts at 7:00 p.m., Saturday has 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. starts, and Sunday begins at 1:00 p.m.
Olfert is a Saskatoon freelance writer.