Sign up for the battlefordsNOW newsletter

J.S.C.N traditional powwow honours youth

Jul 9, 2016 | 8:41 AM

In the early 1900s there was a major push to put an outright ban on powwow gatherings across Canada, and in the mid-50s that ban was lifted allowing First Nations to gather where and when they wanted.

James Smith Cree Nation started its fifth annual powwow off, July 8 with a literal bang, as shortly after the grand entry a number of lightning bolts flashed in the skies around the Fort a la Corne cultural grounds.

This year’s powwow is dedicated to honouring the youth, according to Cynthia Twist, secretary of the James Smith Cree Nation powwow committee.

“We’ve had a number of losses within the community and we want to show the youth that we care, that we’re here for them, and that we respect them,” Twist said.

“We’re honouring them because they are our next generation, they are our future and we need them to know that. We love them,” she added.

Powwow has become a source of pride for many youth of James Smith, which now features its own drum group and a sewing program which has youth producing their own regalia, Twist said.

“A lot of our youth love to sing. The drum group we have loves to sing at night. It’s just beautiful to hear,” she said.

James Smith made the change from a competitive powwow to a traditional powwow five years ago. Since the change, youth participation has been outstanding according to Twist.

The biggest difference between competition and traditional powwows is the way money is distributed. In a competition, the top three are awarded large sums of money, whereas a traditional powwow will give every dancer and drummer a small amount of cash.

“We wanted to bring our community together, become a closer family. We wanted to bring people in and show them our community, we’re very spiritual. We love everybody,” Twist said, laughing.

This year over 400 people, mainly youth, have registered to dance to the beat of 17 different drum groups. Grand entry is scheduled at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 at the Fort a la Corne cultural grounds.

 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas