Honors, dancing highlight International Peace Powwow

By Lethbridge Herald on February 24, 2025.

A Fancy Dancer particpates in the Saturday afternoon Grand Entry for the International Peace Powwow at the VisitLethbridge.com Arena. Herald photo by Alexandra Noad

Alexandra Noad – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

People gathered from both sides of the Canada-U.S. border to celebrate Indigenous culture, food and dance at the 25th annual International Peace Powwow.

Powwows are traditional celebrations of Indigenous culture, with the International Peace Powwow being a competition of many different types of Indigenous dancing.

The powwow also held honour dances for significant members of the Indigenous community on Saturday afternoon.

Family members and friends were able to join the honour dance recipients to show their support as they made their way around the dance floor to the beat of an honour song.

The first recipient of an honour dance was Leroy Wolf Collar, a former chief from the Siksika Nation, who is also the author of the book First Nations Self Government: 17 Roadblocks to Self Determination and One Chief’s Thoughts on Solutions.

In a speech of gratitude for the honour dance, Wolf Collar said it’s the duty if society to lead the way for its children, particularly in Indigenous.

“We all come from the same places, same challenges, same issue,” he said. “But I think it’s our duty as men and women in our communities to lead by example, to be role models of our young people (and those) who have yet to be born.”

The second honour dance was for Francis First Charger (Ninnaisipistoo-Owl Chief,) who is an Elder in Residence for the University of Lethbridge. In October, First Charger received an honorary Doctor of Laws from the U of L.

In his speech, he said he was one of 74 members of the Magpie Society which started in 1972. He added that dancing has been a significant part of his life, beginning from the age of three.

“I really enjoy dancing and even though I can’t dance like I used to, I can still dance with the cane,” said First Charger. “It’s like the cane doesn’t give me no pain.”

The last honour dance was given to Diana Hellson from the Siksika Nation, who was named TD Indigenous Songwriter of the Year.

Hellson said she hopes to inspire other Indigenous artists to follow in her footsteps, even in a tough industry.

“I hope my relentless spirit has made an impact on who are maybe hesitating to start a band,” she said. “Follow your heart, always do what feels like a yes, and always be true to yourself and you’ll find the best end results every time.”

Following the second Grand Entry on Saturday evening, Mary Ann Crow Healy, who has organized the International Peace Powwow for the last 25 years, received a King Charles III Coronation Medal, one of 30,000 given across the country.

Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge East, had the honour of presenting the medal to Crow Healy, saying she was given it for her significant service to her service with the powwow being one of them.

“She’s almost always at the head table serving behind the scenes, acting like a mother, as a grandmother, as a cousin,” said Neudorf. “I’m sure many of you have been the recipients of her care, of her love and her dedication to serve her community.”

Crow Healy said receiving the medal is a full circle moment for her, as in 197,7 she met then-Prince Charles at Sundance.

“It’s a real honour, 47 years he finally made it as king, and me to get this award. Thirty thousand people in Canada get this award; it’s an honour to be one of the 30,000.”

While the drums may be quiet for a short time, they will begin again at the Exhibition Pavilion at the end of March as Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society is set to host a powwow at the end of March.