Language Carriers honoured at Nbisiing Nishnaabe 36th Annual Dewegigewaad Pow Wow

By Kelly Anne Smith

NIPISSING FIRST NATION—The Nbisiing Nishnaabe 36th Annual Dewegigewaad Pow Wow has a powerful theme of community strength in the language. Mindy Lariviere, Culture and Heritage Manager for Nipissing First Nation explains the name of the event.

“This year for the 36th annual pow wow, we’ve focused in on our language yet again to stress the importance. Niigaaniimin Ji-Nishnaabemyaang, that means going forward with the language. We’re taking the language and we’re going to move forward. We’re trying to get back and reconcile all of our language that we’ve lost over the years and do it as a community so everyone can see who still kept their language alive. By moving forward into our future, our kids are here watching and they can see what’s happening and what’s important in our community.”

In a special Blanket Ceremony, 14 Language Carriers were honoured for their heritage and work carrying the language. Standing behind them were almost as many language teachers. As an Honour Song played, all of the dancers took part dancing in place in a large circle joining up to the Language Carriers. Head Youth Male dancer Ouske Couchie-Bobb of Nipissing First Nation-Anishinabe/Sto:lo; Head Female dancer Brooklyn Sawyer of Nipissing First Nation; and Head Female Youth dancer Mya Katt of Nipissing First Nation and Temagami First Nation danced for the revered Language Carriers and teachers.

The Cultural Events Coordinator Brady Penasse thinks more dancers are coming out every year.

“We were dancing late into our evening with our Saturday Night Live for the second year. I was very proud to see the amount of dancers we had into the evening again.”

Mindy Lariviere spoke on the many talented youth dancing, saying, “The young people are coming because we are getting stronger.”

“A part of the calls to action in the education systems is that we have our truth and reconciliation at the forefront for our people, for our kids in the schools. All the teachers here teach language. They also give them culture. They’re learning about who they are at school. They’re getting credits at a post-secondary level for being Anishnaabe, for beading their outfits. And Tory Fisher is the head of that curriculum that was drawn out.”

Nipissing First Nation Gimaa Cathy Bellefeuille says every year, the Pow Wow gets better and bigger.

“It’s because we have the finest organizers around so of course it gets better every year and the weather cooperated. And we have more community members that are coming back. We had this opportunity to allow repatriation of some of the community members, discovering family members we didn’t realize we had, making new friends, so there’s lots happening here. It’s been an excellent couple of days.”

Gimaa Bellefeuille also spoke on the ceremony to honour the Language Carriers.

“We also have lots of teachers of the language. Even during the Pow Wow, you hear lots of language happening. It’s inspiring. It’s amazing.”

The pow wow was a bustle of activity at information booths, vendors and food offerings. The night before the Traditional Pow Wow, Ariel Nakogee became Miss Nipissing First Nation.

Councillor and community historian Joan McLeod Shabogesic explained that the Nipissing First Nation Pow Wow is very traditional.

“It’s made for family gatherings. What I found this year is that a lot of people have come back, that this is their first time back. And they really like it that they’re meeting up with relatives and friends,” McLeod Shabogesic said. “Even seeing family members meet nieces and nephews from 20-30 years ago, it’s really nice to see.”

Bob Goulais was given kudos for his skill as a master of ceremonies and protocol by Glenna Beaucage on Facebook.

“Like Christina River-Beaucage said at the closing of the pow wow, ‘I lift my feather to MC Bob Goulais. His lead makes the pow wow fun; he provides teachings, he explains what is happening and why things are the way they are here, he invites others to share, he recognizes others, encourages the youth. He keeps a flow to the pow wow. Simply one of the best. Gchi miigwech Bob Goulais for another year of pow wow leadership. Aho.'”