CARLYLE — With smoke in the air from the fires up north, this did not stop White Bear First Nation (WBFN) from holding their annual powwow on July 11-13. The event was held north of Carlyle on Highway 9 near the Bear Claw Casino.
A few years ago, they took down their powwow building that no longer suited the occasion. Now they put up a large tent to house all the dancers and spectators to keep everyone out of the elements while enjoying the powwow.
Events like this one are always drug and alcohol free. There were plenty of campers and parking spaces. There are always food vendors available with a wide range of treats and drinks, including Bannock burgers.
Grand entries are the beginning of the celebration. The drum groups could be heard throughout the grounds, as they each take turns beating the drums and singing their songs, and this is when the dancers enter the tent. All dancers who enter the competition are invited and encouraged to join in the special entrance.
Powwows are a big part of the Indigenous peoples' cultural, and it is their way of coming together to celebrate. They love to teach others what the meaning is behind the dances and the beats of the drum, and everyone is welcome to come and watch.
This year, they had the opportunity to teach some international students the meaning of a powwow. A group of students came from Lloydminster just to see and witness the colour and songs.
Daryl Oster is from the Lloydminster Lions Club; however, his responsibilities cover the Multiple District 5 Lions which are Saskatchewan and the Dakotas. He is the co-ordinator for the international youth camp through the Lions Club.
The camp is for students aged 14-18 from all over the world. This year, they had three students from France, while Indonesia sent three, and Finland had two students. They also had two students from Germany and two from Brazil. Altogether they had 26 kids, including from the United States and Canada.
Oster wanted to do something special with the kids and since he had never been to a powwow, he thought this might be a great place to take the students. He first went to Onion Lake Cree Nations Powwow, and he loved it, so he made plans to go to WBFN.
WBFN was the only powwow that Oster could find, which was in the right timeline when the students were visiting. The international students came at the beginning of July and will return home on July 20, but the camp is held from July 6-12. Oster did not have it in his plan to come this far south, but to experience a powwow with the kids, he made it a must-see event.
They loaded up the bus and took the long drive to WBFN for the Friday night celebration. They were welcomed with a great deal of respect, and members of White Bear talked to the students about their culture, the meaning of some of the dances and what the drums signify.
The students were able to check out the many vendors and see the beaded work that accompanies the regalia of the dancers and the detailed work that is involved in each outfit. Some of the vendors had their handmade jewellery on hand for sale.
Oster said he could feel the energy at the powwow, and how the beat of the drums goes right through a person. It is an experience that he will not forget, nor will the students. They were also given a chance to taste the food at the powwow.
Oster had contacted the Carlyle District Lions Club and asked if they were willing to prepare a meal for the students and adults who accompanied them. The Lions instead offered to give each person money so they could purchase food at the powwow and have a firsthand taste of their culture.
Oster and the students are thankful for the warm welcome they received at WBFN and grateful to all the Lions Clubs that have helped over the past week that the camp was held. Not only does this teach our kids, but it brings communities together.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
