LAC LA BICHE – Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days 2025 is set to feature a competition pow wow at Beaver Lake Cree Nation from Aug. 1-3, as well as a one-day traditional pow wow on Monday, Aug. 4.
According to Shawn McDonald, president of the Lac La Biche Pow Wow and Fish Derby Association, the traditional pow wow will take place on the large turf sports field adjacent to the Bold Centre.
The traditional pow wow, McDonald explained, will include a variety of dances in different categories, including dance specials that are performed throughout the day. Lac La Biche County, he added, will be sponsoring one of these specials.
“That’s going to be good,” he stated.
While traditional pow wow events had been part of Pow Wow Days in the past, none of them, according to McDonald, were as big as the one that is happening on Aug. 4.
“It’s going to be the first of its kind . . . It’s going to be huge,” he told Lakeland This Week, going on to say that it’s been many years since the actual traditional pow wows were held in Lac La Biche. “We’re going to be bringing everything back with a bang this year with pow wow and the one day pow wow as well.”
McDonald explained that there are distinctions between the competition pow wow in Beaver Lake and the traditional one taking place near the end of Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days 2025.
Beaver Lake pow wow is focused heavily on competition, with performers receiving prizes. While there are prizes for the one-day pow wow, the smaller event has more of an emphasis on culture and heritage, with more traditional dances and different categories and age groups.
“It’s similar, but yet different,” he stated.
The one-day traditional pow wow, McDonald said, is being put on through a collaborative effort between Lac La Biche County, Heart Lake First Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, and Whitefish/Goodfish Lake first nations communities.
As president of the Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days and Fish Derby Association, he also sits on the board of the one-day pow wow committee.
