By Bryan Eneas

On the Powwow Trail: Miss Indian World visits FSIN powwow

Nov 19, 2016 | 3:00 PM

Royalty is visiting the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) powwow this weekend.

Danielle Ta’Sheena Finn, the current Miss Indian World, is the first women from Standing Rock to hold the honour. She said her title has given her a strong platform to advocate for the Standing Rock Sioux, who are fighting against the Dakota Access Pipeline near Cannonball, ND.

“It’s been a big voice and I can amplify my peoples voice in a way to express how important clean water is,” she said.

She visits the Standing Rock camps once or twice a month and said she’s seen incredible growth at the sites with roughly 8,000 supporters currently camped out.

“It’s beautiful to see that much love and support, because not many times in Indian Country do we really back one another, but this issue we’re really backing [one another],” Finn said.

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FSIN hosted a special blanket dance for Standing Rock. A blanket was carried around the makeshift arbour as people gave donations towards the camps in ND.

The dance earned $1,717.66, a total which was then doubled by the White Rock Gas and Confectionary. FSIN will match the donations raised in the blanket ceremony, bringing the total to just over $5,150.

“To me it means the world, because I have family right there, and I know they need that money for firewood and to do all the things they want to do,” Finn said. “It was very moving, I really got a lot of feelings out there… it was very moving to see so many people get out of their seats and contribute.”

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said it was important to show their support and he was thrilled with the donations.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas