The Painted Hand Casino Pow Wow has been going for 15 years, and the 2015 event saw strong dancing from the over 350 dancers that came from throughout North America and great music from the 15 drums.
Charles Ryder, Painted Hand Casino General Manager says that events like the Pow Wow are something a First Nations company is going to do because they want to keep their culture at the forefront.
“It’s our natural way of living and being, to show our culture. It’s the way we lived long ago, so we’re working to bring it back, show it to whoever we can, enjoy it ourselves and be respectful of it too.”
The goal is to showcase First Nations culture, Ryder says, and get younger generations involved and interested in their heritage. The sheer number of children in the Farrell Agencies Arena.
“If you look at our dancers, they range from the tiny tots to the golden age.
“We respect every category, but it’s those older people that teach the younger ones to learn our culture and get to know it a little better.
“From our pipe ceremonies in the morning to the end of the day, our youth are involved in every step in the process.”
The dancers come from across North America, as do the drummers who provide the music, and Ryder says you can’t have one without the other. He says they have some of the top drum groups on the continent, and their music is what makes the event.
“It’s a lot of work, but at the end of the day it’s beautiful to have it.”
The goal is to have a community event, and Ryder believes they achieved it.
“I think we truly supported not only the Pow Wow community, but the surrounding community and the City of Yorkton, with all the businesses our visitors touched.”
