THUNDER BAY - The sound of drumming and dancing filled the clear blue skies in the Fort William First Nation, as communities were brought together to celebrate Indigenous culture and tradition.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Fort William First Nation Pow Wow grounds atop Mt. McKay for the 2016 Fall Pow Wow this past weekend.
People of all ages and cultural backgrounds participated in dance and song, and organizers said the purpose of the Pow Wow is to bring people together.
“That’s the thing about Pow Wow, it affects everybody and it’s there for everybody,” said Bess Legarde, Fort William First Nation culture and recreation coordinator. “Everybody can enjoy it. It’s something that’s really good for communities to gather and celebrate who we are and who we are as Indigenous people.”
There was a strong display of Indigenous culture, including jingle dresses, traditional food, honour songs, and dances.
For dancer, Tausha Esquega, the Pow Wow is a time for bringing people together to celebrate a culture that has historically been repressed.
“The Pow Wow is important because for many years, as Anishnawbek people, we weren’t allowed to practice our culture and gather in ways like this,” she said. “Pow Wows are important because it brings everyone together, as well as people who may not have been to a Pow Wow before and now they will be able to watch and participate and really bring people from other communities together.”
Esquega was especially proud to see so many young children dancing around the circle, because it shows that Indigenous culture is alive and strong in all generations.
“It’s great because for a long time there was a lot of things that were outlawed, so when you see younger children coming out and participating in the Pow Wow, it’s a revitalization of who we are and they are learning that earlier,” she said. “It’s nothing to be shameful about, but it’s really celebrating our gifts.”
Legarde added that the Pow Wow also gives something positive to the community. She said with issues like alcohol and drug addiction, environmental issues, and missing and murdered Indigenous women, the Pow Wow is a time for reflection, awareness, and celebration.
“It’s something that’s positive to our culture and something that is important,” she said.
Several dances featured were in honour of the Truth and Reconciliation and missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“I think it’s to bring awareness and for unity,” Esquega explained. “It’s strength in numbers and coming together as a community and it’s the way that we do things as Anishnawbek people and gathering together to celebrate in a positive way.”
“It’s about being with friends, with family in a positive way and doing something that our ancestors brought to us,” Esquega added. “It’s a part of who we are as Anishnawbek people.”
