Traditional Nipissing First Nation Pow Wow better every year
By Kelly Anne Smith
NIPISSING FIRST NATION—An abundance of laughter, smiling, dancing, singing, drumming, feasting and hugging took place at the Pow Wow grounds on Jocko Point of Nipissing First Nation as citizens and friends joined together on the September long weekend. Thunderclouds were asked to stay away so the sun was shining down on the 30th Traditional Nipissing First Nation Pow Wow themed Resilient Past and Confident Future.
In his opening speech at Grand Entry, Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod addressed North Bay Mayor Al McDonald and West NIpissing Joanne Savard.
“You are always welcome,” expressed Chief McLeod. “This is a celebration. It’s about celebrating our differences and our customs and traditions and just having a good family time. Dance when you can. Miigwech.”
Culture and Heritage Manager Glenna Beaucage of Nipissing First Nation danced the circle filled with Nipissing First Nation citizens and visitors dancing. Glenna keeps the pow wow momentum strong via Facebook posts, bridging the community to the annual event that keeps getting bigger and better every year. It’s estimated that between 2,000 to 5,000 people attended the pow wow.
“It’s all your connection to the people and the businesses and asking people to engage to make a fun celebration for a lot of people – visitors and community people.”
Glenna says there is special care put into every aspect of the pow wow.
“When we ask people to be a host drum or co-host drum, we offer tobacco first, they accept. The offering of tobacco is a sacred agreement, there are no words needed. They accept to take the responsibility of staying with their drum the whole weekend. We have that for lead dancers too. They are dancing for people. You are dancing for ancestors that are gone. You are dancing for people who are not born. It is a deep spiritual engagement when you accept. The future and the earth too. You lead your group.”
Glenna talked of the history behind the traditional pow wow.
“We had traditional gatherings in the 1600s at Beaucage Bay. The Jesuits described what they saw. It was dancing and singing, having a feast and giving away furs. This is based on that, hosting in our territory. In that story there were 700 canoes in that bay accepting people, visitors, like the Hurons and others.”
One of the pow wow organizers, Dan Commanda was overheard talking to a Dokis First Nation visitor.
“Isn’t this great? We didn’t have this when I was growing up.”
Indeed, such gatherings were outlawed until First Nations returned from the Second World War and demanded freedom to hold traditional ceremonies.
The Sunrise ceremony is integral to the pow wow explains Glenna Beaucage.
“It can be your own personal petition but you are also giving thanks for another day. You are with the sun in the morning and you are thanking for the day. It is a reminder for everyday to get up and say, ‘Thank you’.”
“A petition is a special request between you and your creator. There are petitions for going through tough times but one must be grateful for what you do have. A lot of people petition for the water to be clean and for people up north who don’t have clean water.”
Preparation for the traditional pow wow is almost ongoing Glenna says.
“There are so many details. We ask for corporate sponsorship for a feast or to sponsor a drum, for people to cook and for people to donate from their gardens or if they have any moose. It takes hundreds of people.”
It wasn’t long after everyone had left the pow wow grounds at Jocko Point that Glenna was on social media.
“So many people involved to create a happy pow wow experience for all. Sponsors, donors, helpers, workers, knowledge holders, fire keepers, drummers, dancers…the people that choose to give of their time and resources do so knowing that all of the people that come together to celebrate life, will have an unforgettable time visiting and sharing. Miigwech to everyone.”
A Facebook post the day after the pow wow by Nipissing First Nation in Photographs read, “The Powwow grounds were empty and deserted today but you could still hear the drums, the people and the vibrant culture.” To which Nigik Sibi replied, “Missing it already! Spirit lives there! Chii miigwetch!”