Pikwakanagan – The threat of possible heavy rain on Saturday did nothing to dampen either the spirits or the response of the public and participants who turned out in large numbers for the 35th annual traditional pow wow hosted by the Algonquins of Pikwakangan First Nation.
There was scarcely enough rain on the opening day to wet the grass at the pow wow grounds, as over 200 dancers in spectacular regalia and seven drum groups provided an amazing display of dancing and drumming for everyone to enjoy.
Co-emcee Fred McGregor noted organizers they were keeping a close eye on the weather updates and advising things would be running on a tight schedule because of the threatening forecast. Arena Director, George Meekis, explained the importance of his role and how the elders had taught him the proper protocols to follow in that capacity.
In his address, Chief Greg Sarazin, noted the pow wow was celebrating its 35th anniversary, and 25th at the current location, adding the theme for 2024 was, “Inspiring our Youth Through Culture And Tradition”.
“Since the first arrival of European cultures into our traditional territory in the early 1600s, over 400 years ago, successive government policies have been imposed upon us, all designed to assimilate us as a people and as a Nation,” he said. “Those policies have failed, and we are still here in 2024, and our families and our traditions are thriving.”
Pikwakanagan First Nation was established 151 years ago on September 17, 1873 as an Indian Reserve under the Federal Indian Act.
“The Reserve System was established to get Indians off the land and collect us all into one location where we would be assimilated and eventually disappear as a people and as a Nation,” he explained. “That didn’t work.
“Having our First Nation provided the opportunity for us to maintain important aspects of our culture, of our sense of community, and our identification as the Algonquin Nation,” he added. “We have survived as a people, as a Nation because of our First Nation, and that is something to celebrate.”
Chief Sarazin acknowledged the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and their families, and the work being done to address this tragedy. He also acknowledged the 60’s scoop children – the victims and survivors, and those who made it home to their families, and those who did not. He further acknowledged all residential school children, many who never made it home and whose spirit is still out there, as well as those who did come home with their lives changed forever.
“Today, we drum for them, we sing for them, and we dance in their honour,” he stated to loud applause.
He thanked the pow wow committees, past and present, for their 35 years of hard work and dedication, as well as all of the volunteers who helped make the event such a success.
“This can only happen with full community support,” he remarked.
He also acknowledged all the various departments at Pikwakanagan and their mangers for the hard work and participation in supporting and promoting cultural activities for the youth in the community.
“We are seeing results in a big way,” he stated. “Our Algonquins of Pikwakanagan youth, like Meiyah Whiteduck, the first runner-up in the first-ever Miss Indigenous Canda competition, and Nevaeh Sarazin, for winning the $50,000 Mazda Canada Rising Legends prize for Pikwakanagan.
“And also our very own youth drum group, Papasse,” he added. “I see you everywhere, locally, regionally, and on the national stage, and that is a good thing.”
Chief Sarazin acknowledged all the youth who are now branching out and participating in numerous competitions centered around their culture who win awards and put Pikwakanagan on the map.
“You are being noticed and your success is inspiring other First Nation Youth,” he commented. “And you are making Pikwakanagan proud
“Well done all of you,” he added. “As the Chief of Pikwakanagan, I am proud of all of you.”
He concluded by inviting everyone to get up and dance in honour of the youth and have fun.
“It’s pow wow time,” he declared.
Record Number of Dancers
Jamie Sarazin, the longtime convenor of the weekend, said Saturday was a very successful day, and Sunday, despite the heavy rain at times, went ahead with some delays and a reduced program.
She said 216 dancers across the numerous categories registered for the event, but there were some dancers who did not register.
“I think we passed that number by at least 20, so it would be a record,” she said.
Mrs. Sarazin said seven drum groups performed, including the host youth drum, Papasse, along with Spirit Wolf, Kichesipirini Drums, Eagle River, Young Tribe, Boyz From The Island, and Buckshot. The head male and female dancers were ???? and the junior male and female dancers were Madden Ozawanimke Benoit and Alexa Robbins.
The grand entry commenced at approximately 12:30 and continued until every one of the dancers made their way into the arena, which was followed by an opening prayer from elder Irvin Sarazin and youth member, Nevaeh Sarazin.
Mrs. Sarazin said the rain held off on Saturday until after a presentation was made to Gary and Clem Sarazin, who are the longtime caretakers/maintenance men of the actual pow wow grounds.
“There was a little sprinkle but it didn’t get anyone soaked,” she remarked. “After that it was clear sailing.”
On Sunday, she said it was raining earlier but then the skies cleared.
“We were waiting to get started for about an extra half-hour,” she said. “They just started to come out and it started to rain, but they kept going.
“Right after they did the circle around, then it started to pour, so we took a little break, but the drummers kept drumming,” she added. “People were all mulling around.”
She said lots of the dancers kept dancing despite the rain, noting the decision was made to cancel the demonstration dances where the various styles of dance are showcased.
“The drummers kept up the pace for the intertribal for whoever wanted to dance,” she said, adding some members of the public hung on and took shelter in the covered grandstands. She said the “give-away” was pushed up from its 4 p.m. regular time to 3 p.m. to shorten the day.
“I was very surprised that we still had a full circle of dancers that kept on dancing in the rain. But then it got really heavy.”
She said they had to bring in hay to mitigate flooding in some of the vendor areas as well as under the arbour. She noted sound technician Joe Willett had to move the electronic equipment from under the arbour to the emcee platform due to the amount of water in the arbour.
She said the nearly 40 craft and eight food vendors were happy with the weekend, adding some of the food trucks sold out and had to restock on Sunday morning.
She thanked her fellow committee members and all the volunteers in helping make the 2024 pow wow a success.
She thanked Chief Sarazin for his speech, noting she was especially pleased with his acknowledgement of all the existing programming occurring in the community to help the youth keep up with the culture and traditions.
Mrs. Sarazin recalled at least one other pow wow several years where the rain caused issues.
She acknowledged and thanked co-emcees Fred McGregor and Kevin Lamaar for their work, and arena director, Greg Meekis, for the professional way they conducted their roles.
