‘A pow wow to remember’ series: Rebecca Loucks
In a continued effort to lift everyone’s spirit during this time where we are all staying home, the Anishinabek News did a call out to the Anishinabek Nation to submit their fondest pow wow memory. The spring series is called: A pow wow to remember.
Some go to pow wows to see the beautiful regalia. Others go to feel the strength of the beating drum. Some go to connect with family and friends. One way or another, pow wows draw us all in for one reason or many, but above all else, it’s to come together and celebrate us and those who came before us. Our traditions. Our culture. Our language. Our authenticity and identity. While the 2021 pow wow season may be impacted by the global pandemic, let’s use our memories from pow wows past to help us maintain our strength and perseverance.
The Anishinabek News hopes this series brings you light and hope during these challenging times of uncertainty, and inspiration to keep moving forward on your journey – whatever it may be; or maybe even dance.
The 2021 Great Lakes Pow Wow Guide can be found here.
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By Rebecca Loucks, Curve Lake First Nation
My favourite memory of a pow wow growing up in Curve Lake First Nation was when I was 12 years old. Our pow wows were a bit different back then and something I looked forward to in the community. It was a major event and I loved getting dressed in regalia for it.
My grandmother would dress me in her leather traditional outfit, braid my hair and put beautiful beaded jewelry on me. It would make me so happy and I felt so special sharing this wonderful time with my Granny. Her name was Aileen Irons. She would just beam with love and happiness to see me all dressed up in her regalia. She would playfully call me her Princess Shining Water.
She also dressed my brother Richard and grandfather Amos in their regalia and then she would get herself ready. We used to have a parade down the main street of the community to the pow wow grounds, which were in the back of the school and administration office at that time. We would walk in the parade and wave to the people from all over, who lined the street to watch. Some people rode horses in the parade as well. We would have grand entry and dance categories for the people. I was so shy to dance but I found the courage to go dance when it was my time.
When I was that young, I never knew the differences between the dance categories or regalia. I remember dancing in the girl’s fancy category but in my grandmother’s traditional outfit. Even though I did not know the difference, I remember the joy of just being out in the arena dancing. No one told me any different and just let me dance. I was just free to dance and enjoy my experience there in my community. It wasn’t until later in my life that I learned the differences and now in my adulthood, I am a traditional dancer; but in my spirit, I am still that carefree, young, able fancy dancer.
I am proud of that shy 12-year old that has grown up and has been able to be a female head dancer for our community in recent years. Our community pow wow at this time had many other events going on and competitions. I remember them having a husband calling contest and my grandmother entered it. I remember her sweet high call of her husband’s name Amos and she could drag that four-letter name out for so long, “Aaaaaaaaammmmmooooossssssss.” I think she won that contest. They also had a fried bread-making contest where the women would make their fried bread and their partner would help build the fire to cook the bread. We also had Mrs. Curve Lake and Miss Curve Lake contests. My grandmother competed in the contest but placed 2nd runner up to her mother, Mrs. Alice McCue. I competed in the Miss Curve Lake contest but not until I was a few years older and was 2nd runner up as well.
Our annual traditional pow wow has grown and changed locations over the years and last year was the first year we did not have a major event open to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions. It was a small gathering with only community dancers and drummers using safety protocols. This year will be our 65th Annual Traditional Pow Wow on the third week of September and one of the last outdoor pow wows of the year in this area. I pray we get to gather again safely with everyone from all over because I really miss our pow wow family. No matter how long it takes, we will all dance together again.
Kchi miigwech to my Granny Aileen for inspiring my love for dancing. I am still dancing 40 years later and I will continue to dance for as long as I am able.