By Bryan Eneas

Wahpeton Culture Camp blends traditional and non-traditional activities

Aug 30, 2018 | 11:49 AM

Babies, youth and elders have gathered in the Wahpeton Dakota Nation to celebrate their culture for the third time.

The Wahpeton Dakota Nation Culture Camp organizers Bill and Ashley Waditaka said they wanted to find something to keep the youth busy, while educating them about their culture.

“It’s good to see everybody here. This is our third year taking part in this culture camp, and we say culture camp, because we’re trying to bring our youth together to celebrate this wonderful life we have as First Nations people,” Bill said.

He said he hoped everyone who leaves the cultural grounds of the Wahpeton Dakota Nation feeling good.

One of the traditional activities available for youths to try was buffalo ball.

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Elijah Waditaka instructed his fellow youths in how to play the game, which he described as similar to lacrosse. The biggest difference between the two is in the stick used to play the game. Where lacrosse sticks have mesh to catch and hold the ball, buffalo ball sticks do not; rather, they have a tight curve at the end to hold the ball.

Elijah said he learned about the game from southern Dakota Nations, and was required to ask permission to bring the game to his peers in the North.

“It came from the South and my mom asked my uncle if we’re allowed to play it, because you have to get permission,” Elijah said. “Last summer I went to Pheasant Rump and I played it there, I kinda learned and played it there.”

He noted the game felt a little odd at first, but once he got the hang of it he found it pretty fun.

On Aug. 29, the gathering featured a mini-powwow, which was designed to educate community members and attendees about the various powwow dance styles, as well as powwow as a whole. Two drum groups played through the day; Wahpeton’s own Round Plains Jr’s and the Wahpeton Jr’s were both on hand to play the big drum.

Wahpeton’s Round Plains Jr’s in action at the culture camp here. This is their second day using this drum according to organizer Bill Waditaka. #firstnations #Indigenous #drumming #RoundPlainJrs pic.twitter.com/0OWl8CeMRc

— Bryan Eneas (@BryanEneas) August 29, 2018

Youths also participated in a hoolahoop based game which was essentailly a cross between hot potato and musical chairs, while a drum group preformed a trick beat song. At first, the group seemed apprehensive, however competition quickly heated up.

Final two in a hoolahoop game that’s a cross between musical chairs and hot potato. Whoever holds the hoop when the drummers pause is out. #firstnations #indogenous #culturecamp #hoolahoop pic.twitter.com/2QYfHrL7xg

— Bryan Eneas (@BryanEneas) August 29, 2018

While traditional meats smoked over a fire, youths had an opportunity to try their hand at a hunting style game. They threw makeshift spears at a fake bison constructed by Arnold Waditaka, who made a similar creation last year before it was stolen in the time between camps. 

“It’s made out of cardboard, so those spears they’re throwing can go right through,” Arnold said. “It’s part of the old tradition.”

The Wahpeton Cultural Camp concludes on Aug 30.

Bryan.Eneas@jbpg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas