Powwow celebrates culture and well-being

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 1, 2024.

Herald photo by Alexandra Noad Participants take part in the Senior Men's Chicken Dance at the Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation powwow on Saturday at Agri-Food Hub.

The vivid colours of traditional regalia were accompanied by the strong beat of drums as Indigenous dancer’s athleticism shone at second annual Reconciliation Powwow was held at the Agri-food Hub over the weekend.

The annual powwow was hosted by the Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Society.

According to their website, the Honouring Traditions and Reconciliation Society is an Indigenous-led organization that collaborates with Indigenous Elders. Their mission is to educate, bring awareness and build relationships to promote reconciliation, allyship and well-being in Sikoohkotok (Lethbridge.)

The powwow began with a Grand Entry, where the dancers are led out to the floor by dignitaries, or in other words, prominent people in the Blackfoot community as well as those who helped put the powwow together.

Following the Grand Entry, came the ‘Intertribals,” A time for the drum groups to show off their talents and for everyone else to enjoy the music while marching to the beat of the drum around the dance floor.

Throughout the powwow it was reiterated many times that these traditions were the things the government wanted to take from the Indigenous people through the Indian Act, the Residential Schools and the Sixties Scoop.

It was through the grit of their ancestors and the survivors, many of whom are still alive today, that the culture is as vibrant as it is today and has a vibrant future for the next generation, believe many in the Indigenous community.

There are many dances in powwows, which dancers are competing for prize money. Each dance has unique regalia and choreography.

People as old as 59 danced in the senior adult categories, while others were just taking their first steps in the Tiny Tot category.

The weekend was both a show of culture and athleticism, which was not only present at the powwow, but also at the Relay Races next door at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

The fourth and final Jason Goodstriker Memorial Relay Races were held Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

A total of 12 teams competed in the relay, Team Carlson from the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, Montana, taking home the title.

While this may be the end of the Goodstriker Memorial Races, it will not be the end of relay races at Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

For information on Indigenous events happening in the Lethbridge area, visit the Reconciliation Lethbridge Facebook page.