Pow-wows are about sharing
By Barb Nahwegahbow
TORONTO – Pow Wow is about “sharing our culture, sharing our language, sharing our singing and our dancing and even sharing some of our ceremonies,” said Bob Goulais. Goulais was the MC for the 14th Annual Na-Me-Res Pow Wow held at Fort York on June 21. The tradition of sharing proved to be alive and well throughout the day for some 7,000 people who enjoyed the sights, sounds, smells and tastes associated with Pow Wows across Turtle Island.
Steve Teekens, Executive Director of Na-Me-Res for the past five years and citizen of Nipissing First Nation, said this was their biggest Pow Wow ever. It became clear in the past couple of years, he said, that they had outgrown their previous location at Wells Hill Park in the Bathurst-St. Clair area. When Fort York approached them this year, Na-Me-Res jumped at the partnership opportunity. Not only was there so much more space to accommodate the dance area and the 80 or so artisan tents, but the promotion and publicity by Fort York and the City of Toronto increased the attendance. During the three days preceding the Pow Wow, Fort York hosted its own Aboriginal Arts Festival featuring storytelling, readings, music, and art exhibitions. It seemed like the perfect fit, said Teekens.
Na-Me-Res is the only Aboriginal organization in the city serving men exclusively. “The theme of our Pow Wow this year is Celebrating 30 years of Healing”, said Teekens. This year marks 30 years since the shelter opened. Along with providing emergency shelter to men who find themselves homeless, Na-Me-Res provides cultural and other support programs to get the men back on their feet with housing, healing, employment, and knowledge and pride in who they are as Indigenous men.
“I’m particularly proud and happy with the men from the residence that helped out today,” said Teekens. “They’re all volunteering, a lot of them are helping out with the sacred fire. When I got here this morning before sunrise,” said Teekens, “I was surprised to see a lot of them here already. It’s really incredible.”
Carolyn Turney who has attended the Pow Wow for the second year was overwhelmed with the spirit of community and generosity. She had the opportunity not only to meet the Chief of Mississaugas of New Credit, Bryan LaForme, but she also had the chance to talk with two traditional dancers, Derrick Bressette and Judy Rheume about their regalia.
In spite of all that has been done to Aboriginal people in this country, Turney said, they continue to practice kindness and sharing. “What an incredibly beautiful experience!” she said. “It’s wonderful to see such a vibrant, alive culture that has survived no matter what has happened to the people and no matter what they’ve been through. It was very, very moving.”
Artisan Chris McGregor, citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation took a moment to acknowledge the hard work and organizational skills of Blanch White, also of M’Chigeeng. White is on staff at Na-Me-Res and McGregor said, “Blanch deserves a lot of recognition for the work she does organizing the Pow Wow. She’s the one who approaches the big corporations for donations and has to find the money to run the Pow Wow. Blanch is a hard worker,” said McGregor.
For information on Na-Me-Res and how you can support their work, their website is: www.nameres.org.