City puts $50,000 into planning for first powwow in Saint John

The City of Saint John will contribute $50,000 to the city's first powwow, planned for October at the end of powwow season.

Coun. Barry Ogden was among the councillors who praised the decision Monday night.

"Growing up I never knew there were so many Indigenous people in Saint John," he said. "It's in the thousands. I think the reason is we don't have a reserve here.

"I think this is fabulous and I think there's thousands of people in Saint John whose history will be represented here. And we know that we've often forgotten our history, which is to our own detriment."

Coun. Barry Ogden applauded the plan for the powwow in an area where Indigenous history has not been well represented. (City of Saint John)

Council approved the money at its regular council meeting. It's the latest development in planning for the 2024 Menahqesk powwow, which was announced in December.

The powwow, to be hosted by Wolastoqey and Mi'kmaw community members, will include food, vendors, singing, drumming and dancing. It will be held at TD Station, but the exact weekend has not been determined.

Menahqesk is the Wolastoqey name for the area, meaning "where the sea takes the land."

According to the 2021 census, more than 1,800 individuals in Saint John identify as Indigenous. According to a report to council Monday, the number is higher about 3,285.

The staff report says the event is expected to attract about 10,000 visitors to the region, as well as about 400 performers and 60 Indigenous vendors.

A powwow in Saint John would give Indigenous people in the area closer access to a major cultural event. Until now, the closest powwow was has been at Sitansisk (St. Mary's First Nation) in Fredericton, where powwow season begins this year on June 15.

Mayor Donna Reardon said bringing a powwow to Saint John is part of the city's recognition of truth and reconciliation.

"The powwow elevates the profile of our Indigenous community."

Mayor Donna Reardon says a lot of people want to know more about the area's Indigenous history. (Hadeel Ibrahim/CBC)

The powwow is about bringing the Indigenous history of what is now called Saint John to the people who live here, Reardon said.

"I think the powwow does it in a very fun way and people are interested in it," she said. "So I think it's a really great opportunity for us. A lot of people want to know about our Indigenous history."

Organizers will look for sponsors

The $50,000 approved Monday will be used to get planning for the event underway. The overall cost of the event will be about $225,000, according to the report.

"They'll take that $50,000 and they'll leverage that to get what they need," Reardon said. "So this will give them part of that base of their money."

Economic development agency Envision Saint John has committed $30,000 to the powwow.

The report says the city's contribution will be used to secure sponsorships and funding from other sources to meet the costs and ensure the powwow is free to attend.

The powwow co-ordinating committee will include First Nation stakeholders, city staff, and non-Indigenous stakeholders, the report says.

Reardon said Indigenous involvement is a key component in the planning.

"At the end of the day they have the history, they know what's best, and they know how to present that."