An upcoming Powwow Fundraiser Lunch will help to support the annual 2026 Peace River Traditional Powwow.
Elder Priscilla Lalonde says Peace River Aboriginal Interagency Committee (PRAIC) is happy to introduce its bannock taco and stew lunch fundraiser on April 20 to help fund this spring’s Powwow.
“PRAIC is a group of community-minded agencies that help to create and share events that will support a positive environment,” explains Lalonde.
“The powwow has always been one of these events and is so important to the Peace River community. The fundraiser will help us with offsetting costs and support events that may otherwise not be held.”
Lalonde says available lunches include bannock taco with either a regular bannock or a gluten-free bannock, toppings can include beef, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Also available is beef stew and bannock or vegetable stew and bannock.
“It (the fundraiser) will also help PRAIC fund other events that we host annually in the community such as National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, Red Dress Day, Orange Shirt Day, and others,” Lalonde says.
“This fundraiser is supported by volunteers; we will have volunteers help with the cooking and the delivering of lunches for the prepaid orders. Orders must be in for April 15 and they will be delivered on April 20 for lunch time.”
Meals cost $15 each and individuals can contact Priscilla at (780) 523-0123 to receive an order form. All payments can be made by e-transfer to nwaic@outlook.com.
“It’s totally up to the individual to choose to support the fundraiser but I hope they know that a good meal and knowing they are supporting a great cause with the Peace River Aboriginal Interagency Committee will help,” says Lalonde.
“It will help us to pay for items that are necessary to run the powwow. The Peace River Powwow has always been free to anyone who wants to attend, so we rely on the generous sponsorships, donations and fundraisers to help us continue to provide a great and respected form of gathering with respect to culture and traditions.”
The PRAIC Powwow will be held on May 30-31, with the location yet to be determined on April 21 at the PRAIC meeting. Lalonde urges everyone to mark their calendar to attend the powwow.
“The Peace River Powwow is a significant gathering celebrating culture, community and traditions,” she says.
“This gathering is open to everyone interested in observing or participating in the amazing ceremony, music, and dancing.”
She says powwows are a way for people to gather in a celebration, to share experiences, and to reconnect with friends and to make new ones.
“Powwows are so important in helping Indig- enous people preserve traditional ways and strengthen community bonds,” she concludes.
“It’s an opportunity to guide, teach and help each other intergenerationally.”
If you’d like more information, or would like to order a lunch in support of PRAIC’s efforts, please phone Priscilla at (780) 523-0123.
Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter