By Colleen Smith

Dancing, drumming and singing at Treaty Six Community powwow a nod to heritage

May 18, 2016 | 5:11 PM

The Treaty Six Community hosted an array of nations from all over Saskatchewan and wrapped up its Heritage showcase today, May 18 with a stunning traditional powwow and drum session. For many, the ceremony held deep spiritual and artistic cultural ties which harkened them back to their cultural heritage.

Sekwun Ahenakew is a teacher at Chief Little Pine School. She enjoys teaching dance as a part of Little Pine’s land-based learning curriculum because of its spiritual ties with her nation and the earth.

Ahenakew is also an active dancer herself. Since she was 12 years old, she and her family knew traditional dance was going to be a part of her life.

“They don’t usually rush a dancer,” Ahenakew said, describing the process. “They’ll dance when they’re ready.”

Ahenakew said becoming a dancer is a milestone in which the entire family participates.

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“The whole family will get in together, pitch in and create an outfit,” Ahenekew said. “You’ve got your beaders, your sewers, your brooch-makers. It all depends on what outfit calls to them.”

For some, the art of dancing calls to them at an even younger age.

Jonika, a young lady from the Thunderchild First Nation has been dancing since she was old enough to walk.

“My mom made me an outfit when I was one year old and I’ve been dancing ever since,” she said.

Jonika is skilled in an array of styles but her favourite style is jingle, a dance in which the sleeves, skirt and boots of the dancer’s costume are laden with a multitude of jingling bells.

Jonika describes dancing as her way to heal.

“For me it means a healing dance and basically to dance for peace,” she said.

For others, drumming and singing holds a spiritual tenure which amalgamates present action with the heritage of yesterday.

Scott Bull is a member of the Wild Horse Singers, a drum circle singing group which has competed internationally all across North America.

Although Bull mainly performs on the competitive level, it’s always a treat for him to come out and perform at powwows such as Treaty Six’s because it’s a chance for him to reunite with his traditional heritage.

“It means a lot for me because I was raised in this,” Bull said. “It always feels good to come and sing.”

The powwow space, Ahenakew said is a source of positive energy which has the power to bring the land, performers and the audience into a unified whole.

“The power from the drum that you get from the ground and the exchange of prayer, it just all comes together,” Ahenakew said. “And the more positive, the stronger the feeling. With each celebration you attend, you want to think positive all the time to continue to receive the goodness.”

Email: colleen.smith@jpbg.ca

Twitter: ColleenAJSmith