First Nations people and Kamsack area residents wanting an opportunity to witness First Nation culture at its best are invited to a traditional powwow at Cote on November 25.
Dubbed the “Healing Our Community” powwow, it is being held in the gymnasium at the Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex at Cote First Nation.
“We’re holding this powwow as a way of bringing positive vibes to the community to counteract losses and tragedies,” said Robert Severight, a member of the organizing committee that includes Chief George Cote, Jonas Cote, Shelley Cote, Marion Badger, Joshua Badger, Dawn Tourangeau, Wilford Whitehawk Sr., Reggie Severight and Tyrone Keshane Sr.
“It is being planned as a nice, positive event that will bring the community together,” Severight said. “It will be a feel-good time with drums and dancing that helps with healing.”
Severight, who estimates that there may be as many as 20 drum groups, four of which will be from the area, said that organizers are planning for about 300 dancers, of which possibly 80 will be area residents. Dancers and drummers are expected from all three of the Prairie Provinces.
It will be a traditional powwow as opposed to a competitive powwow in that all participants will “go home with something,” whereas in a competition only winners take home prizes, he explained.
After the grand entry dancers will be on the floor according to categories that include junior boys; junior girls; teens boys and girls; men’s; women’s; senior golden age men and women, and tiny tots, a group of both boys and girls. Male groups include boys grass, chicken and traditional dancers, while female groups perform jingle, traditional and fancy shawl dances.
Plans are also to include a dance special, a mini-contest that will be an extra incentive for the dancers, he said.
Severight said that among special guests who are being invited are: Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN), chiefs of Keeseekoose and The Key First Nations, district mayors and reeves, the RCMP and EMS representatives.
Howie Thomson of Carry the Kettle First Nation will be the emcee, while the arena director will be Glen Pelletier of Cowessess First Nation.
There will be no admission charged and all the visiting dancers and drum groups will be treated to a supper feast.
\ “Everyone is welcome to attend,” Severight said. “We hope to see a lot of Kamsack people there. It will be a great experience for them, being among First Nations and enjoying the scent of sweetgrass and sage.”
People will see different dance styles and some championship dancers, he said.
“A powwow is a time to come together for a positive event, a time to celebrate our youth and show them in a good way how to conduct themselves. The First Nation culture, if followed, is beautiful and with a positive healthy lifestyle will take one a long way.”
