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Colours and dancers aplenty at Driftpile Powwow
Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
Driftpile First Nation’s 23rd annual powwow was a kaleidoscope of colours, with dance outfits of all types and styles flowing over the ground.
Held at the powwow grounds Aug. 21-23, hundreds of dancers came from across Canada and the U.S. to celebrate their cultures and demonstrate their dancing skills.
“It’s a continuation of revitalizing our culture and language,” says Rose Laboucan, grand chief of the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council.
The community and its leadership have strongly supported the powwow over the years, Laboucan adds. She thanks all the volunteers who gave their time.
The powwow is a choreographed affair, with a drum group performing for a grand entry of dignitaries, elders and dancers.
One of the dignitaries for the grand entry during the last day was Linsay Willier. Although Willier took second place in Canada’s Next Top Model, Driftpile thinks of her as the champion and the organizing committee presented her a Pendelton jacket.
“It’s an honour,” says Willier. “I’m happy people are so supportive.”
Since the final episode of CNTM, Willier has been visiting communities in northern Alberta and giving inspirational talks. Due to contractual obligations, Willier had to put her modelling career on hold while she was part of the show, but will return to it soon.
Spirituality is part of the grand entry. During the last day, Elder Kirby Bird of Paul First Nation near Edmonton talked about the harm alcohol and other “evils” can do. He encouraged youth to avoid them and for everyone to live a wholesome life.
“When you stand before the Creator, you’re going to have to answer for how you’ve lived your life,” Bird says. Then he offered a prayer in the Stony Sioux language.
There are many categories of powwow dancing, including jingle dress, women’s and men’s traditional dances and junior chicken dancing. There were two dances in each category and the dancers were evaluated by judges.
Between categories, everyone was encouraged to participate in intertribal dances.
The powwow was a rite of passage for Maggie Sowan, as she was initiated into women’s traditional dancing in the afternoon. A group of women danced with her as part of the initiation, then she and her family gave gifts to many in the audience.
It is a dream come true for Sowan.
“This was the path I needed to go, because I wanted to help heal our people spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally,” says Sowan.
She works as an addiction counsellor at the Kapown Centre in Grouard.
A hand drumming contest was held near the end of the powwow and several people from each drum group competed. A community giveaway was also held, as members of the organizing committee provided gifts to the audience.
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Shane Thunder, 12, came from Little Pine, Sask. to compete in the junior boys chicken dance category. He acquired 280 points and won first place.
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A grand entry is held at the start of the powwow. In front, from left, are Romeo Waskahat of Enoch, Harry Campiou of Driftpile First Nation and Stan Cross of Hobbema.
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There was plenty of drumming during the powwow, including the grand entries. Clockwise, from lower left, Stacey Adams, Stan Cross, Mike L’Hirondelle, Frank “Boxcar” Willie, Romeo Waskahat, Aaron Bird, Whitey Bird, Chris Williams and Joe Durocher. They are members of the Iron Horse, River Cree and Weekend Pass drum groups.
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Powwow dancers of all ages participated in the grand entry. Above, Damian Omeasoo, left, and Shawn Applegard, both of Samson, Alta., are junior chicken dancers.
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Dave Matilpi, of Grimshaw, Alta., participated in the men’s golden age dance. He acquired 255 points and won first place.
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Riel Paul, 16, came from Edmonton to compete in the teen girls’ jingle dress category. She acquired 260 points and took first place.
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The women’s traditional dancers had a strong showing at the powwow. From front to back are Justine Augibelle, Lena Hanson, Mildred Supernault, Jullienne Bellerose, Hilda Paskamin, Leigh Willier, Edna Raine, Tina Bellerose, Toni Cardinal and Sharon Walker.
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Petie Chalifoux, of Driftpile First Nation, performs a hoop dance during intertribal dancing. Chalifoux has been powwow dancing for 14 years and finds it very athletic.
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Sky Eagle Tail, 11, of Rosebud, South Dakota, got pretty thirsty during her two dances in the junior girls fancy category. She acquired 305 points and took first place.
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Trevor Burnstick, 17, of Alexander, came to compete in the teen boys’ traditional dance. He acquired 240 points and placed second.
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Darrell Joe Bretton, 10, came from Saddle Lake First Nation for the junior boys fancy dance category. He acquired 315 points and took first place
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Jade Arcand, 13, came from Alexander First Nation to compete in the teen girls’ traditional dance category. She acquired 250 points and took first place.
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Dancers came from all over for the powwow. Lani Mackenzie, at left, is from Nlekelmx, B.C. and Joanne Spiritchild is from Moose River, Alta. Both are women’s fancy dancers.
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