An Indigenous dancer performs during a powwow at an International Youth Day event hosted by Ubuntu-Mobilizing Central Alberta in Aug. 2021. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

SHARING IN A CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Red Deer International Powwow a chance to learn through cultural experience

Oct 15, 2021 | 6:00 PM

There will be dancing, there will be singing, and there will be drumming.

Perhaps most importantly, however, at the first annual Red Deer International Powwow, there will be learning.

The event — hosted by Powwow Times, a local non-profit which promotes Indigenous arts — takes place Oct. 22-24 at Westerner Park’s Exhibition Hall, and under the Restrictions Exemption Program. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test are required to attend.

Event president Patrick Mitsuing, a Sylvan Lake resident of Treaty 6 Cree heritage, says the powwow is family-friendly, and for all persons from any walk of life.

“When we talk about truth and reconciliation, the first word in that sentence is truth. So in order to get to reconciliation, we have to speak truth. We can have this event which brings people together and use it as an opportunity to speak truth, meantime highlighting some of the issues Indigenous people go through,” he says.

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“We recognize that some of the people who attend who are non-Indigenous may be able to be our allies. So let’s talk to them.”

Mitsuing says a lot of people wear their orange shirt on Sept. 30 and then put it away for another year, not thinking about how issues persist in the daily life of an Indigenous person.

“Here’s a perfect chance to educate people. It was education that stopped our culture from being passed down, and education has the same power to bring it back. Now’s the time, even though it’s a long road ahead.”

He emphasizes that all it takes to become an ally is one introductory conversation or experience for someone to realize they can be part of something bigger.

A world champion fancy dancer himself, Mitsuing believes people will be blown away when they see the talent on display at the powwow. He adds that he’d like to see the Red Deer event become a world championship-level part of the calendar.

“The cool thing about powwow is that it’s a shared cultural experience. A lot of the dances we showcase come from all directions of North America, and of course we don’t look at Turtle Island as the United States and Canada. We’re all connected,” he shares.

“A powwow is a celebration of life; we’re literally celebrating that we’re being resilient through this pandemic, the residential school findings, and the prohibition of our culture. That’s what powwow is.”

The Red Deer International Powwow starts on Friday the 22^nd with youth programming in the morning and then a 7 p.m. grand entry. On Saturday the 23^rd, there is a grand entry at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., and then a final grand entry at 12 p.m. on Sunday the 24^th.

Throughout the weekend, there is a singing contest, as well as dancing in categories for all ages. There will also be prayer and story time, Cree language lessons, and tipi raising and teachings.

There’s also a Powwow Exhibit — curated and created by Mitsuing and partner Marrisa — viewable at the Red Deer Museum & Art Gallery (Sept. 26-Feb. 7).

Tickets for the powwow, which will be available at the door only, are $10/day or $20 for the weekend.

A full schedule is available at pwtpowwow.com.

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