‘We are celebrating together’ says Nipissing First Nation Chief at local pow-wow

June 29, 2018

Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod at the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre Pow Wow – Maamwi Kindaaswin – tells participants to remember Canada’s past treatment of Indigenous people. ‘We were not allowed to do this.’

By Kelly Anne Smith

NORTH BAY—After welcoming everyone onto the traditional land of Nipissing First Nation, Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod touted the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for putting on a great pow wow every year. And then the Chief’s tone became pensive.

“One of the things I was thinking when we danced around, I think everybody needs to remember this—early on, in our relationship with Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people, what we did here today was against the law. We were not allowed to practice this. And that’s the truth. And this is part of reconciliation that we are going through right now. ”

Chief McLeod talked of Canada’s enforced ban on dancing, celebrations and feasts. In 1895, the Indian Act forbade ceremonies of gift giving on the west coast; settlers called it Potlatch. 1914 was the year that the wearing of regalia and dancing was banned off-reserve. In 1925, Pow wows, the Sundance and sweat lodges were outlawed. Only in 1951 was Canadian law changed to resume Pow wows and other celebrations and cultural practices.

Chief McLeod invited non-Indigenous citizens to step up to reconciliation for everyone’s benefit.

“We have finally come to a point in our relationship where we are celebrating together. And we’re openly dancing and singing and celebrating our heritage and our culture…It is very important that the non-Indigenous come and share this with us. Because this is who we are. This is who we are. So Miigwech for coming out. It’s going to be a great day for a pow wow, so everybody enjoy it!”

Mayor Al McDonald followed with his message to those gathered.

“Miigwech to the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for today’s celebration Pow wow and for including us. To our good friend Chief McLeod, we are very proud of our friendship as neighbours. We work very well together. On behalf of the citizens of North Bay, we truly believe in Truth and Reconciliation and we’ve proclaimed that. We are going through the process of learning what we need to do. “