Cultural backgrounds collide in celebration at annual youth powwow

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A group of dancers perform during the Grass Dance. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

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The powwow gives youth dancers and drummers a chance to showcase their hard work and provides opportunities for intercultural sharing and learning, according to one of the powwow’s head planners Alex Powalinsky. 

“We have people from all different backgrounds and 4,000 youth typically who come to our powwow. So, it’s really amazing to watch them learn and share with one another, to celebrate our bright future that we have ahead with all of our Indigenous youth, and to come together and celebrate and uplift the youth of our communities.” 

“It’s really an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate together rather than focusing on our differences.” 

(Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

She continued that the values and importance of relationships is one of the key lessons she hopes the kids learn when attending the event. 

“It’s so important in order to move forward with reconciliation and to explore the things that we have in common; our shared goals, our shared visions for futures together and what we want for our community.” 

Another important aspect to the powwow is dancing without labels, meaning there are no gender restrictions or gender specific dance categories. The change came in 2019 when the Powwow Committee unanimously decided to remove the gender binary categories. 

“We’re not changing anything about our culture or changing anything about the powwow other than opening it up for youth to explore their gifts in a way that’s true to their spirit rather than being confined by predetermined categories.” 

“I think the more that we can open our circle up to have a place for everybody, the stronger our communities become,” she added. 

(Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com