Youth are the central focus of this week's event. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Celebrating culture

Traditional pow wow returns to Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation after 40 year hiatus

Aug 29, 2024 | 1:55 PM

For the first time in 40 years, a traditional pow wow is taking place at Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.

Over 400 dancers, representing a number of communities across the province and Alberta, are taking part in the three day event. Ava Thomas, 14, is running for senior princess.

“I just like dancing for the people and supporting my community,” she told paNOW.

Ernest Poundmaker, 68, has been dancing since he was eights years old. He said pow wow is a very integral part of Indigenous culture.

“What they are doing here is honoring our ancestors,” he explained, adding he was very proud of the fact that the community was rediscovering its culture.

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The cultural event is taking place in a newly-constructed Arbor. Marcy Whitefish is the chair of the pow wow committee and revealed it’s always been her dream to see this in her community and that it represents both good medicine and good energy.

“It’s a beautiful place to be and I am just blown away. I am still trying to find the words that this is really happening,” she said.

When asked why it’s taken so long to have a pow wow, Whitefish explained the community’s traditional values and beliefs were disrupted by the intergenerational trauma caused by residential shools. And within her own family, noting how her grandparents attended residential school, Whitefish explained she and her husband have been trying to create new cycles.

Those same teachings and values are brough to the community through Whitefish’s job as a teacher at the local high school.

“So we are bringing these values back to our kids and it’s the complete opposite of teaching our children what was taken from our ancestors,” she explained.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Recalling the racism she personally experienced as a child and being treated as second class, Whitefish explained the Arbor is a place where community members can embrace who they are.

“We are going to be able to believe in ourselves and our values and be able to recognize that we have a place here in Turtle Island,” she said. “I am overwhelmed with feelings.”

Leading up to this week’s event, outfits were provided to the youth and they learned on Wednesday, they would get to bring them home and keep them. Whitefish said the purpose was to let them know they will always a family and a place in the pow wow circle.

Chief Larry Ahenakew applauded the work done by the pow wow committee and explained the new Arbor will be there for many years ro come.

“It’s gonna be here for many generations like our Chief Ahtahkakoop said, let’s not think of ourselves but our children’s children.”

Noting the approval process for the new Arbor started with the community’s elders, Chief Ahenakew explained it was essentially built for the youth and to help them in their respective healing journeys.

“We needed this because we are in kind of a hole with all the alcohol and addictions abuse in our community, especially with our youth, and this represents another arm to lifting their spirits,” he said. ‘When they dance you see them smiling and with so much energy.”

Chief Ahenakew addresses the crowd during Wednesday’s grand entry. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

A young dancer admires her surroundings. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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