Wachiya!
Local Pow Wow is a regalia of native culture
The sound
of drumming permeated the air the weekend of September 11 and 12 at the 18th
edition of the Annual Traditional Pow Wow, presented by the Native
Friendship Centre of Montreal. Deemed "the heartbeat of nations", the
significance of the drum in a Pow Wow is not merely musical, but is at the core of
Native American culture - its rhythms are used to bring people back into balance
with nature.
This year's Pow Wow marks many firsts which should make it better than previous efforts,
according to its organizers. For a change, participants and spectators will get to
enjoy the festival outdoors on Île Bonsecours at the Old Port of Montreal;
food vendors will be on hand to offer tastes of Native cuisine; and it will include
the first ever youth gathering. Pow Wow organizer Jacinda Kent says the event is
the only one in the city, as they are usually set on reserves outside Montreal.
"A Pow
Wow is basically a gathering and celebration of the Native culture," she explains.
A diverse array of performers representing various nations are coming from outside
the city to partake in this weekend's festival. Gary Parker and Noreen Montour-Parker
will be the head dancers throughout the celebration and Young Nation will serve as
Host Drum. Other entertainers include The Whitetail Singers, Eastern Eagle and the
Big Stone Singers, as well as a gamut of workshops and displays aimed to appeal to
people of all ages and backgrounds.
Kent hopes the event will enlighten people about Aboriginal culture, as well as the
ceremony and etiquette involved in a Pow Wow. For example, the unique handmade outfits
that dancers wear are not called costumes, but regalia. Also, despite being well-intentioned,
it is considered rude to pick up a piece of a dancer's outfit. Pointing out the fallen
item to the person is preferred.
"I
have learned a lot just organizing it," Kent contends. "You learn more
about the culture and different foods. Also, you learn about the different friendship
centres in Quebec and Canada."
Darlene Wapachee, Aboriginal Youth Council coordinator, put together the inaugural
Youth Gathering which assembles Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youths to interact
and have fun. A dating game, and workshops dealing with traditional dance, storytelling,
and aboriginals in film are among the activities planned for them.
"They'll be learning a lot about each other," Wapachee says. "The
youths from Kanehsatake, for instance, don't get to meet non-Natives."
The Native Friendship Centre offers information and recreational resources to Aboriginals
in the greater Montreal region, and aims to bridge the gap between Native and non-Native
cultures. "They can come here to do their school work or if they need help,
or just sit down with other Natives," explains Tanja Steinbach, socio-cultural
coordinator for the centre. "We offer referrals, help them fill out applications,
provide employment resources and we organize monthly suppers."
The local Pow Wow is the organization's largest fundraising event and a valuable
one to local Natives. "A lot of them are very far away from home. A Pow Wow
doesn't necessarily represent just one Nation. It's multi-tribal and includes non-Natives,"
says Steinbach.
She adds confidently that the upcoming event promises to surpass those of years passed.
"The music can give you goosebumps. It's so powerful. The Pow Wow is something
Native people are proud of and want to share with everybody."
The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal's 18th Annual Traditional Pow Wow takes
place September 11 and 12 at Île Bonsecours. Activities begin at 11 a.m. each
day. For information call 514-499-1854.
- Margo Vizbara
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