By Chelsea Laskowski

Attendance expected to drop at major Regina powwow

May 12, 2013 | 8:50 AM

Organizers managed to bounce back after Evraz Place labour disputes put the First Nations University's annual powwow in jeopardy, but they still expect the postponed event to draw less visitors than usual.

The event was originally planned for April 6 and 7, but was rescheduled for a month later, May 11 and 12. This included: telling all guests, some of whom travel from across North America, about the major change; re-booking the venue, kitchens, and volunteers; and losing about 20 per cent of volunteers and a few committee members.

“It was a bit of a nightmare,” said chair of the powwow committee Richard Missens.

He admits it was a tough situation to face.

“I didn't know what to do. I was frustrated. I didn't know whether to cry or kick the wall or laugh, or whatever. But the committee said, 'you know what? Let's have a pow wow.'”

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Yet, despite pulling together to see the event through, the rescheduling means that many of those who had previously booked off time for work could no longer make it out.

“We know for a fact that we won't have as big of a crowd or as many participants as we'd hoped.

And the work isn't over for the powwow's committee. They'll still be fighting to make sure everything goes smoothly through to the event's Sunday finale.

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