LAC LA BICHE – Indigenous culture and heritage was showcased during a one-day traditional pow wow held on Aug. 4 as part of Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days.
By noon, a large crowd had gathered inside Lac La Biche’s Bold Centre as hundreds of dancers decked out in traditional regalia made their way into the arena for the customary grand entry. While the event was initially scheduled to take place outside on the Bold Centre sports fields, it was brought inside due to inclement weather.
Walking in the grand entry were several dignitaries, including Chief of Beaver Lake Cree Nation Gary Lameman, Heart Lake First Nation chief Curtis Monias, Rita Gladue, an elder from Beaver Lake, MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche Brian Jean, along with Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov, and Ward 2 Lac La Biche County Coun. Kevin Paré.
The event was one of two pow wows that took place over the August long weekend, with a competition pow wow held in Beaver Lake Cree Nation from Aug. 1-3.
While the Beaver Lake pow wow was focused more on competition, the smaller, one-day traditional pow wow had an emphasis on culture and heritage, with more traditional dances and age groups. The event also featured an Indigenous market where traditional, handcrafted items were sold.
According to Shawn McDonald, president of the Lac La Biche Pow Wow and Fish Derby Association, the traditional pow wow was a collaborative effort between Lac La Biche County, Heart Lake First Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, and Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation.
One of the dancers who performed at the traditional pow wow was Sam Bull, who lives in Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation, and frequently dances at pow wows across the Lakeland, and in the United States.
Bull, who danced in the golden age men’s traditional category, said pow wows are a good opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones, and “to bring people in, to education them, [create] cultural awareness.”
Jingle dancer Tessa Saenz of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, said the one-day pow wow was good to include as part of Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days “to show people all the different dances.”
Leroy Half, who is also from Saddle Lake, took part in the one day traditional pow wow, performing the men’s traditional dance.
“It unites us all . . . like the treaties, that’s how it all starts . . . from the treaties . . . We all come together as one,” Half said.
Doris Collins of Kehewin Cree Nation was one of the vendors who had a booth set up at the Indigenous market inside the Bold Centre. Collins sold a variety of items, including beadwork, carvings, regalia, ceremonial rattles, and more.
“Everything we have on the table are all handcrafted authentic Indigenous art,” she explained.
Paré said the event is unprecedented as it brought all three nations, along with the County, together to sponsor and provide a one-day traditional pow wow.
“It’s a community builder . . . It’s a people relationship builder, and we can only grow from here,” Paré said.
MLA Jean was impressed with the turnout at the one-day powwow.
“This is great to go around to these events all over Alberta . . . I love the pow wows . . . I love the opportunity to meet the cultures that make Alberta the greatest place to live, work and play on the entire planet,” Jean said.
“I’ve been coming to these pow wows down in Lac La Biche since the 1970s. It’s pretty cool and wow - the dancers today - probably one of the best events I’ve ever been to as far as dancing . . . It was really good.”
