Henvey Inlet First Nation to unveil new arbour at annual pow wow
By Jennifer Pereira
HENVEY INLET FIRST NATION—Henvey Inlet First Nation will be celebrating its 16th annual pow wow with a new arbour this year.
Construction of the 40-foot diameter arbour began last fall. Chief Wayne McQuabbie says the British Columbia red wood structure will include cedar shake shingles.
The arbour was especially exciting to pow wow committee chairperson Kimberly McQuabbie. Over the past 15 years, a lot of hard work went into preparing the area. Volunteers built a temporary arbour every year, so when a permanent arbour was proposed, she was absolutely delighted.
“I was so excited when I saw the blueprint and that we don’t have to deal with building a new arbour every year,” expressed chairperson McQuabbie.
The pow wow precedes Chief McQuabbie’s leadership of the community. It began under the leadership of previous Chief, Bruce Ashawasegai.
“Community members Rodney Nettagog and my wife Wanda petitioned to have an annual traditional pow wow,” recalled Chief McQuabbie.
Chairperson McQuabbie has always been behind the idea of having a pow wow in the community. She’s been a part of the committee since it’s inception and has seen the growth first hand.
“It’s been a learning experience,” noted chairperson McQabbie. “We had nothing [16 years ago]. We only had a couple of drums, and I don’t think we had any vendors. I’m surprised how our pow wow has grown from then to now.”
Not only were drummers scant at the first pow wow, the event took place at the community baseball field for the first 13 years. Over the past few years though, the community has been enjoying it’s pow wow at grounds specifically developed for it. Recent upgrades also included bathroom and shower facilities as well as electricity.
The pow wow is a source of pride for the community.
“It brings our community together, and it brings our surrounding neighbours over, including our sister First Nations through Anishinabek territory, to celebrate good life with us,” expressed Chief McQuabbie.
Over the next few years, the Chief said they will continue tweaking the pow wow grounds with additional infrastructure.
“An outer ring with a canopy will be built so dancers can dance during inclement weather, and bleachers with canopies will also be constructed. “
Chairperson McQuabbie is excited about those future structures and joked, “It’s never going to rain in Henvey.”
On a serious note, pow wows also offer healing for people. Henvey’s pow wow this year will include a family special this year.
“So many McQuabbie members have succumbed to cancer and as a family, we’re still grieving. This year, I’m contacting as many jingle dress dancers as I can, to dance a healing dance for the McQuabbie clan,” shared chairperson McQuabbie.
The Henvey Inlet First Nation 16th annual traditional pow wow takes place June 8 and 9 at the community pow wow grounds on Pickerel River Road.