Family is Celebrated at Traditional Pow Wow

Admission and camping are free and all are welcome at the Traditional Pow Wow, being held at the new pow wow grounds in Garden River this weekend.

“We are expecting a good crowd,” said Arlene Nolan Barry, pow wow committee co-chair. “A lot of dancers, vendors and food.”

Grand Entry for the pow wow begins at 7 pm, Friday, Aug. 13 with traditional first nations drumming, dancing and craft vendors continuing through to Sunday, Aug. 15.

The theme of the pow wow is Honouring the Family and families are encouraged to come out to participate in the event which will feature drums and dancers from Canada and the US. A variety of dancers, including grass, traditional, jingle and fancy are expected to make it a brilliant display of regalia and cultural expression.

The head dancers are Patrick Thunderchild and Barbara Day who will be joined by the host drum, Bawating Singers. Archie Francis will be co-officiating as the Head Veteran with MCs Butch Elliot and Doris Boissoneau, who is also the pow wow committee chair.

This year represents the first use of the brand new permanent arbour built by Ominick Forestry which is owned and operated by Garden River resident Denis Jones.