GBNFC's annual pow wow's 'fabulous' turnout creates harmony
A grand return to the National Indigenous Peoples’ Day ceremonies played out at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons and Sainte Marie Park this weekend, despite some uncooperative weather.
A few thousand visitors attended the opening ceremonies on Friday at a traditional pow wow in Sainte Marie Park to celebrate the nationally recognized day of celebration for the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis throughout Canada, held annually around the summer solstice since 1996.
As hosted by the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, executive director Compton Khan called the turnout “fabulous”.
“We have over 2,500 students from the Catholic board and some from the public board,” Khan told MidlandToday.
"We’ve been doing a lot of work prepping the classes prior to this event so that they understand the cultural significance of the event. It’s how we work together, collaborate together, educate each other on both sides of the cultures so that we can move forward harmoniously as a nation.
“I’m a teacher by training, and I always say: you have to start young. Educate the students at an early age before they become fixed in their ways and ideas. Start young. That’s what we’re all about today,” Khan added.
Frazer Sundown from the Oneida Nation of the Turtle Clan was the master of ceremonies for the opening, which featured a drumming circle within an arena that was bordered by hundreds of spectators on the ground and in the bleachers.
Attendees stood as an eagle staff and flag song played, honouring those that came before and to show respect to numerous Indigenous treaties as signified by the placement of flags around the inner drum circle.
A short distance away, the sacred fire was kept by lead firekeeper Gavin King, who self-introduced as Red Feather for a given name. With darkening clouds incoming, MidlandToday asked what the significance of keeping the sacred flame lit through the 48-hour period would entail.
“It’s mostly through practice and watchings of our teachers. If the fire goes out, the pow wow comes to an end; it is the heart and centre of our pow wow and our ceremony. We do the smudging, the offerings, and the prayers.”
Also at the event were vendors, food booths, and community support groups. On the tail end of a recent heat wave, students ran around in the festival atmosphere.
Vince Duquette was an attendee who spoke with MidlandToday about the community engagement he had encountered on his return to the annual event.
“It’s so great to see so many people here,” said Duquette. “It’s been a few years since the quarantine, but it’s like life has just come back. It’s the biggest attendance I’ve seen in awhile, I have to say, and certainly the largest area coverage for the vendors and everyone. Hopefully the weather will maintain a comfortable climate.”
However, the clouds darkened at 1:30 p.m. with pairs and small families beginning to vacate, and when the rains came down at 2 p.m. more arriving school buses appeared only to wage the parking lot traffic against sodden attendees departing for elsewhere.
Fortunately for the two-day event, across the road at Sainte-Marie among the Hurons were numerous activities within the outdoor recreation of the 17th Century Jesuit mission, as well as inside the museum and tourist facility. Running throughout Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 per person with free admission for: children under five; Indigenous persons and Ontario educators with valid identification, and season pass holders.
The celebrations at Sainte Marie Park were expected to continue until Saturday evening, but organizers opted to cancel due to weather.
Derek Howard, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, MidlandToday.ca
