The Power of Family Memories 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 E’Dbendaagzijig to submit their favourite pow wow memory they share with their family for the series: The Power of Family Memories.
Family can be a group people you are related to or a group of special people that have become your family along the way. Family can be something different for everyone – but whatever your family looks like, it’s your family! Do you and your family plan your summers around the pow wow trail? Did your auntie make you your first regalia? Let’s celebrate pow wows together!
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.
By Rebecca Loucks
Aaniin/boozhoo Biiwaabik Kwe ndizhnikaaz, Oshkiigomoaang doonjibaa, Biizhew dodem. Hello, my name is Rebecca Loucks, and I am a member of Curve Lake First Nation. I am Lynx clan.
I am writing about one of my favourite pow wow memories. Family is an important part of my pow wow memories. Last year, I wrote about one of my favourite memories of when I was a shy 12-year-old girl with my grandmother Aileen Irons. This year, I am writing about my first time being asked to be the head female dancer at our Curve Lake First Nation 60th Annual Pow Wow.
I was very honoured to be asked by my community to be the head female dancer. To come from that shy 12-year-old girl who did not know the differences between dance categories and the protocols of the community pow wow to being able to represent our community in such a good way as a role model to the younger generation was so heartwarming. I also know that the 12-year-old also came back with her fear and her shyness of doing this responsibility for the very first time. I had to use my courage once again and go dance in the circle in the spotlight with the whole community watching, as well as the visitors of our community.
The power of spirit and family came to bless me that day. I was dancing at home in my mother’s community of Curve Lake with family and friends that had known me all of my life. My dad had gone on to the Spirit World by this time and my mom was not able to be there in attendance. As I was getting ready for the Grand Entry, I saw my cousin Rod Nettagog from my dad’s side of the family. He was dressed in his regalia and carrying the Henvey Inlet First Nation flag, which is my dad’s First Nation. My face lit up as I saw my cousin and I was so happy to have him there as a representative of my paternal side of my family on this special occasion. I did not know he was coming to the pow wow and for him to bring the flag from Henvey Inlet was a special sign, that spirit meant for it to be this way. As I danced into Grand Entry, I felt the love and pride of having both sides of my family and ancestors there with me. It is an experience I will never forget, and I am so grateful for it.
After the pow wow was over, many people came to tell me I did a wonderful job as the head female dancer, and they were proud of me. I asked my cousin if we could get a picture of us and the two flags together to commemorate the experience. They say a picture says a thousand words and I genuinely believe this one speaks volumes with the happiness and joy radiating from my face.
I have since gone on to be head dancer a couple of times, including last year in a scaled-down, COVID-19 pandemic-friendly, community-only, version of our pow wow. My hope is to one day be able to continue my pow wow memories as an Elder dancer for our community, Creator willing.
Miigwech!