LAC LA BICHE - There will be a traditional powwow in Lac La Biche this August, marking the first time there has been an Indigenous led powwow in the community in many years.
The one-day event is being organized by the Indigenous Collaboration Committee. Lac La Biche County has allocated $150,000 to fund the event, along with any sponsorships, grants, or other funding the committee receives.
“Growing up in Lac La Biche, to me Pow Wow Days was this event that I had vivid memories of. It even seemed like there was more inclusion and recognition and respect for Lac La Biche County's neighbours . . . it seemed like that went away in the last few years,” said Michael Lameman, who chairs the ICC and is a councillor for Beaver Lake Cree Nation.
According to the most recent census, approximately 28 per cent of Lac La Biche County residents are of indigenous or Métis ethnicity. Lac La Biche County is unique in that it is located on the land of three separate treaties: Treaty 6, Treaty 8, and Treaty 10.
Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Heart Lake First Nation, and Whitefish Lake First Nation #128 are all neighbouring Indigenous communities. The County also shares a border with Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement and Kikino Métis Settlement.
“The word reconciliation is used too freely, but now there’s action behind reconciliation with this one day traditional powwow. To me that means more when there’s follow through like this,” said Lameman.
He sees it as an opportunity to educate people and to break down some of the barriers that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the community.
“Just by being there, attending and watching, some might not understand what they're what they're watching, but they can easily ask anybody, and somebody can explain to them the importance of certain events, of the powwow itself,” said Lameman.
Nicholas Bartlett is a member of the Killer Whale Clan in Kitamaat Village of the Haisla Nation in British Columbia. He’s been in Alberta for 24 years now and is the vice-chair of the ICC.
He said powwow is a gathering of nations and the idea that the ceremony is only for Indigenous people is a false way of thinking.
“Powwows are something that can be experienced by everyone within the community, and that's why we have people that travel from all over Turtle Island that come to dance at different powwows in different areas. We're not all from the same nations, yet we still do,” said Bartlett.
“We still practice this because it's part of our healing journey, and it's a part of our way of being connected to the ancestors.”
The day will include a grand entrance, dances, drum groups and a feast with everything expected to take place at the Bold Centre. Organizing is still underway, but Bartlett and Lameman both noted dancers in the powwow will be paid honorariums for their participation.
The One Day Traditional Pow Wow on Aug. 4 is a distinct event from those hosted by the Lac La Biche Pow Wow & Fish Derby Association, which is hosting its traditional summer events from July 31 to Aug. 3.
“Our hope is that all events taking place on the August long weekend will complement each other and contribute to one another’s success,” said Alex Fuller, a spokesperson for Lac La Biche County.
