Chris Clegg
South Peace News
It’s an event ready to celebrate its 10th anniversary, not to mention a very rich Indigenous culture!
The 10th Annual High Prairie Traditional Pow Wow takes place May 3 at the Sports Palace and Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre (GBRC). This year’s anniversary event marks a special milestone — a full decade of celebrating culture, tradition, and community togetherness.
A Facebook entry notes the powwow is only one day this year.
“While we originally hoped to host a two-day event to honour this anniversary, we did not meet our full funding goal.”
In addition to the powwow and all its accompanying festivities, the High Prairie Regional Youth Hands Games Tournament is at the GBRC. Teams from all over the Peace region will compete for top honours, including the recently-crowned High Prairie School Division champion Kinuso Knights in the elementary and junior-high school categories.
Host drum for the powwow is Mountain Cree, the arena director is George Desjarlais. Master of ceremonies are Devin Bellerose and Elmer Rattlesnake.
The first grand entry is at 1 p.m.
The intent and purpose of the powwow never changes.
“The intent of the gathering and powwow is to enhance community wellness through sharing the strengths that are inherent in the traditional practices of ceremony,” said organizer Wendy Goulet, in a 2023 interview.
“The event nourishes the spirits of our Aboriginal children youth and families as a counter to the damage created in the residential school era,” she adds.
The powwow is a successful and preventive way by encouraging child and youth to participate in a healthy and productive activities including Aboriginal song, dance, and ceremony.
“It provides opportunity to engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous community people, agencies and partners in working together to benefit the community,” says Goulet.
The event is hosted by High Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services (HPAIC).
The first powwow was May 23, 2015. The Regional Youth Hand Games began in 2016.
Well over 1,000 people attend the event annually.
Goulet says everyone is welcome to participate. If you would like more information to contact her at (780) 219-5789.
Admission to the powwow is free.