By Kellah Lavoie

Annual Thanksgiving powwow kicks off tonight

Oct 8, 2010 | 4:33 PM

It’s a weekend full of dancing and music.
Starting tonight is the three day Northern Lights Casino Thanksgiving Powwow.
Cynthia Ross, powwow president, said there will be more than 600 dancers hitting the floor of the Art Hauser Centre.
“People should expect a lot of excitement and song and dance,” she said explaining it is a spiritual event for Aboriginal Peoples.
“All together this year we having eight specials ranging from fancy dance to spiritual dance and giveaway on Sunday, our princess pageant is on Sunday,”
It is the 12th year for the event, but it’s Ross’ first as the president. She said over the years the event has grown.
“There’s more of us involved at the casino as staff, we’re learning a lot as we go along each year… I’ve learnt a lot from all my mentors and teachers,” she said.
While it might be her first year in the lead role, Ross said planning began right after the event last year. They decided what worked, what didn’t and the plans for this year’s event.
Ross said the people who organize the dancers for the weekend have never changed. It keeps things running smoothly, and with so many dancers on site, the more organization the better.
The event begins at 7 tonight with grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
“Everyone come out and have a great time and enjoy yourselves,” she said explain the event is open to the public all weekend.
klavoie@rawlco.com