Without an event director or the usual place to put it, Pow Wow Days organizers are still hoping to have a traditional Aboriginal Village as part of the summertime festival, but it could be a smaller version of it at the Bold Center.
Without an event director or the usual place to put it, Pow Wow Days organizers are still hoping to have a traditional Aboriginal Village as part of the summertime festival, but it could be a smaller version of it at the Bold Center.
For the past several years, an authentic replica of an Aboriginal settlement has stood by the lakeshore in McArthur Park during the August long weekend. Now that there’ s currently no one to organize it and Lac La Biche County is building a spray park on the site, the plan is for the village to downsize and move.
“We don’ t know if the (spray park) project is going to be completed by Pow Wow Days,” said Pow Wow Association president Helen Haimour.
If the complete village isn't feasible, a small group of teepees will be erected on the grass outside the Bold Center. There will still be storytelling and traditional wisdom sharing, Haimour says, but the village might not have all of the same components as in previous years unless circumstances change.
The Aboriginal Village is not the only aspect of the festival that’ s relocating this year. Many events are moving to the Bold Center because of the need for an indoor facility in which to hold concerts and other entertainment.
If there is a way to incorporate the full village into the festival, organizers will do their best to make it happen, Haimour says.
“Of course, we would have it (if we could),” she said. “It’ s a part of Pow Wow and it means a lot to people.”
Acts by traditional Aboriginal dancers and other performers are still planned for the festival, to make sure that Aboriginal culture is well represented, she says.
Anyone with ideas for improving the Aboriginal Village is encouraged to get involved. With less than two months left before Pow Wow Days, volunteers, event directors and sponsors are needed now more than ever, Haimour says.
To get involved, call Haimour at (780) 520-0141. This year’ s Pow Wow Days festival is scheduled to take place from July 31-August 2.
