Dancers in their colourful regalia, groups of singers waiting their turn to chant to the beat of their drum, plus family members, friends and neighbours, assembled at the Chief Gabriel Cote Education Complex gymnasium on November 25 for the Healing Our Community powwow.
The afternoon “grand entry,” which is the beginning of a powwow, more than 200 dancers and about 10 groups of drummers filled the gymnasium where Dexter Asapas of Kawacatoose First Nation said the opening prayer.
Glenn Pelletier conducted the procession and introduced guests Ron McNabb, Ivan Lonechild and Clarence Friday at the beginning, and Cote First Nation member Margaret Cote of Regina, who sang O Canada in Nākawē (Saulteaux).
Cote Chief George Cote welcomed the visitors to the powwow, including Mayor Nancy Brunt of Kamsack and two members of council, RCMP members, the Creator for the beautiful day and members of the powwow committee who had done much work organizing the event.
Cote mentioned “all the things First Nations” had gone through regarding their history and treaties and said he was pleased to see everyone now come together to enjoy the day while reflecting on the past and pondering on the future. He said that acknowledging past leaders will help people move forward by learning from the past.
He thanked everyone attending and encouraged them to embrace one another.
“God bless and thank you,” Cote said.
Dutch Lerat, vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) acknowledged the elders and thanked the Creator for the opportunity to celebrate First Nation culture and their youth with traditional dancing. He brought greetings on behalf of the FSIN and Chief Bobby Cameron and commended the “Pelly Agency people” for opening their hearts.
“We face many challenges remaining from the residential schools,” he said, adding that because of that history, First Nation people had lost their social skills including their ability to parent.
Thanking everyone for the welcome received, Kamsack Mayor Nancy Brunt said she and her council are looking forward to reestablishing a relationship with the First Nation communities in order to become better neighbours and to move forward with healing in the future.
Thelma Severight and Tyrone Keshane welcomed everyone and offered their wishes for a good day.
“Seeing all the colourful dancers brings my spirits up,” Keshane said.
Jonas Cote, principal of the school, welcomed everyone as did Robert Severight on behalf of the organizing committee.
The grand entry continued with the special guests leading the dancers to the beat of the drum and chants of the singers.
A second grand entry was to have occurred that evening.
