The Bear Claw Casino and Hotel's Annual Pow Wow at White Bear First Nations on Aug. 28, 29 and 30 was a gathering that honoured First Nations culture, tradition, and spirituality.
The pow wow was also a visual spectacle full of colour, sound and pageantry that welcomed participants and visitors from throughout Saskatchewan, as well as from Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario, Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Utah.
During Saturday's Grand Entry Ivan Lonechild of White Bear First Nations delivered the opening invocation, which included a prayer in Cree and a reflection on the history of White Bear's pow wow.
“Back in 1989, some of us on the White Bear Pow Wow committee saw that some of the young people quit dancing pow wow because they couldn't get past the old pros. So we opened a new category. We also took measures to increase interest in the singing contest. And today, I see that Stoney Park (singers and drummers from Morley, Alberta) won that competition here back in 1989 and they're here with us again today at White Bear, all those years later.”
Lonechild emphasized the need to preserve the pow wow's spiritual value for First Nations peoples in the face of modernity.
“We used to camp the old way (at pow wow),” he said. “We didn't stay in hotels or motels. We cooked our food outside, the old way. With pow wows changing, sometimes, as Indian people, we have to take a step backwards and look within ourselves.”
“But I'm happy our pow wow committee understands the spititual aspect of what we are,” he concluded.
Visiting Chief Dr. Leo Omani of Saskatchewan's Wapayton First Nation gave an address that underscored the importance of family and community among First Nations peoples.
“Governance used to begin in the family,” said Omani. “Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters, and extended families settled disputes. Then you moved to your nations and then to other nations, and there was consensus. We need to think about our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren to come and build a better life for our people.”
Omani said that no matter who formed the next federal government, “Our treaty rights must be upheld,” and paid tribute to the veterans in attendance, saying: “The veterans opened these doors for us and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
White Bear First Nations is well-known for the respect it pays to military veterans, and this year's pow wow was no exception. During Saturday's Grand Entry, dancers briefly broke ranks to shake the hands of three non-marching veterans seated in a place of honour. In addition, military veterans and serving members of both the Canadian and American Forces entered the pow wow to an enthusiastic reception.
Canadian Forces veteran and member of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veteran's Association, Irvin Alexson of Kahkewishtahaw First Nation near Broadview, says that the pow wow is helping him to reconnect with his heriage.
“I am honoured to be here and the hospitality here is great,” he says. “I would like to thank the veterans who came before me and the Saskatchewan First Nations Veteran's Association, because without them, I wouldn't be here.”
“My parents had a tough choice to make when I was young, and neither choice was a good one. It's (now) called the 'Sixties Scoop' and my parents could either choose to have me adopted out or send me to residential school. They chose residential school, because at least they could see me again.”
“But at the school, they took everything away from us. They stripped us naked, cut our hair off and took away our language. The pow wow is a big part of me picking up my culture and language again.”
“I would like to see our young people carry on our traditions, because you have to know where you come from. And I would also like to see them getting their education and getting a full understanding of life.”
Along with the traditional tribute to veterans, the Grand Entry began with a stirring drum roll call led by Alberta singers and drummers Stoney Park. After the prayer and invocation to the Great Creator by Ivan Lonechild, dignitaries and dancers entered the bandshell.
Bear Claw Casino acting general manager, Brennan Dickson said: “I'm a proud White Bear member, and 1993 began the birth of Indian gaming in Canada. Our leadership wanted our people to do better...In 1996, the casino opened its doors. Next year it will be 20 years.”
“Bringing the casino and the golf course here has helped to bring our people jobs, education, life skills. However long it takes, our people will get back on their own course.”
