Powwows moving online due to pandemic

Powwows have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the entire season cancelled, but some First Nations in the Peterborough area are holding online events to keep the tradition alive.

Under the province’s second stage of the economic reopening, which took effect last Friday, from the state of emergency, gatherings of more than 10 people are now allowed. Powwows typically host thousands of people in two-day gatherings featuring vendors, drummers and dancers.

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services, located in Hiawatha First Nation, has a virtual powwow scheduled for Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Up to 10 videos will be shown, according to communications adviser John Stewart.

“We are certainly going to try this,” Stewart said.

The virtual powwow won’t be an actual live feed of dancers in their respective communities, but rather participants can submit a video and tag their events.

“There will be a cultural aspect as well. We have elders who will join in,” Stewart said.

“We are doing the best we can and we are excited to try.”

Curve Lake First Nation has not announced yet whether its powwow, which runs every September, will be cancelled.

A virtual event on Curve Lake’s Facebook page shows several events scheduled throughout Sunday, with fireworks in the evening to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Chief Dave Mowat of Alderville First Nation near Roseneath said he was saddened his community had to cancel its annual powwow because of

COVID-19. The traditional gathering, usually in July, would have been the 26th annual powwow.

“Yes, we have cancelled our powwow, as much as it is difficult to do so. We’ve been following the lead of other (First Nations),” Mowat wrote in a message.

The Mississauagas of Scugog Island First Nation near Port Perry has also cancelled its gathering, also slated in July. The Anishnabek Nation, based in Nipissing, Ont., works with 35 First Nations in the province and puts together the Powwow Guide. Most First Nations have said they’ve cancelled their powwow, according to the group, because large crowds aren’t expected to be safely permitted before the end of the season. The Powwow Guide will be published online this month and may not have the cancellations listed, according to Marci Becking, senior communications officer for the organization.

“We ask, and we doubt there will be a powwow, to call the First Nation beforehand,” Becking wrote in a message.

“We don’t like to cancel gatherings. No First Nation wants to cancel.”

Becking agrees the situation is heartbreaking, but said gatherings for drumming and dancing will resume next year.

Some First Nations are considering holding a virtual powwow, but Becking says what that will look like is unknown.

Vendors who rely on the powwow trail for extra income are already feeling the loss of the season.

There is usually a powwow every weekend in central Ontario from mid-May until Thanksgiving.