Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day at the Western Development Museum Monday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day

Families enjoy opportunity to see Indigenous tradition of powwow dance at WDM event

Jun 21, 2021 | 5:22 PM

The Indigenous Peoples Day demonstration of powwow traditions at the Western Development Museum (WDM) in North Battleford Monday brought people together from many different backgrounds.

Kanaweyimik Child And Family Services Inc. partnered with the WDM on the initiative, as part of the Indigenous Teachings program. A maximum of 150 people were permitted to attend each of the two sessions to meet COVID-19 precautions for capacity limits.

Master of Ceremonies Lamarr Oksasikewiyin said he appreciated seeing the group be able to celebrate during the pandemic, with the restrictions starting to gradually lift.

People social-distanced to take in the outdoor event on the museum grounds where several teepees were set up.

“It’s all really good; I think I was trying to remind people that we haven’t done something like this for a long time,” Oksasikewiyin told battlefordsNOW.

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Oksasikewiyin discussed the stories behind many of the powwow dancing traditions during the event. He said the Jingle Dress Dance, for instance, was also known as the Medicine Dress Dance.

“It’s a healing dance that came from Ontario,” he said. “I heard it came to this area in 1979. It’s one of the most popular categories for women.”

The dancers wore their resplendent regalia that shimmered under the sunny skies during Indigenous Peoples Day. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

For the Men’s Traditional Dance, participants essentially square-off with one another in a competitive stance that’s part of the dance style.

“They compete with each other, and try to best each other with the moves,” Oksasikewiyin said. “At the same time, they have to stay in time with the drum. The drum will suddenly stop, and they have to stop too.”

Oksasikewiyin described his style of dance as the Grass Dance, known as the Original Style.

“It’s the granddaddy of all dances,” he said. “There’s so much to tell, but our role is basically to bless the ground for everybody else.”

Following the powwow demonstration, those who attended were invited to dance around in the open space, while staying within their own groups. Then, they joined in a round dance in a wide-open circle.

Oksasikewiyin also took the opportunity to speak about the importance of reconciliation during the event. He said more people are starting to find out the truth of residential schools that needs to be revealed for healing to happen.

“I equate it to when you are lifting weights to build bigger muscles. Your muscles get uncomfortable when being stressed,” he said. “But in the end, they grow.”

As people work together through reconciliation, Oksasikewiyin said, they will grow together.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow