As summer arrives, something profoundly special is right around the corner.
Blended with colours and light, motion and energy, smiles and song, and pulsing to the heartbeat of a nation, powwow season is set to begin.
A powwow (Anishinaabe-niimi’idiwin as an event or Anishinaabe-niimi’iding when speaking of it as a location) is a celebration of life, identity, and culture.
It is appreciation for the lives we share, the world we share them in, the land that connects us, the relationships that hold us, the helpers that guide us and spirit as the foundation. It is laughter, smiles, family, friends and community. For many, it is a place of healing, support, prayer and community cohesion interwoven with dance, music, gathering, wonder and above all, appreciation for life.
Preface and preparation
Before writing this column, Seven Generations Education Institute’s graduation day was ready to begin with the late-morning pinning ceremony for nursing students. While preparing the drum to be sounded for the graduates, a colleague from The Fort Frances Times asked if I would be willing to write on this topic.
After long and sincere thought, I realized that writing about it may be important for our town, as many may be knowledgeable, somewhat familiar, or curious but unsure how to navigate questions. Whether read by those raised here or those who recently made Fort Frances home, we are all continuously somewhere along the road of learning.
Where I needed insight, helpful friends always made the time.
What to expect
Although powwows take place at various times of the year to celebrate events, summer is the season that sees a groundswell of travel, dancing, connecting (and reconnecting), and joy. All around North America, regions and territories work together to coordinate schedules where a different community hosts for the weekend (and another the next). Powwow calendars are readily available.
Preparation begins long before the event with the pipe, as well as great people volunteering their time and energy to ensure great celebrations to come.
At the centre of it all is the drum, the heart of the celebration. Drums are cared for as living beings, carry the energy of life and each has a name (the same way we call each other by our first names). It is a great honour and responsibility to take care of a drum (a person known as the drum-carrier or drum-keeper). The host drum is often rooted in the community, and many others join from near and far.
A sacred fire is kept burning for tobacco (as well as radiating heat to tighten the drum hides so their voice sounds loud and clear).
In the centre, the drums are gathered under the arbour. Drum groups of men sit, drum and sing both ancient and more contemporary songs. Each song has a meaning, purpose and can be heard for miles. Often, women stand behind the men, creating a balance and connection and singing backup to the songs. It is equally beautiful and memorable.
Keeping the flow of the celebration moving forward and ensuring things like cultural protocols are followed are individuals with accepted roles, like the arena director, the emcee making announcements and often keeping smiles abundant and a spiritual leader from the community or region.
At multiple times during the powwow, a staggeringly beautiful Grand Entry takes place. This is when all dancers enter together, distinctive styles, from near and far, which begins an amazing and vibrant beginning.
It is important to know the days and times of the powwow and grand entries. At times in some communities, Thursdays are warmups.
The raising of the flag, the eagle staffs, flag carriers, the order of the dance styles in entry and all elements are key, intentional and with great purpose.
Dance styles
The most striking element (in my opinion) is the dance. Each regalia (as opposed to costume, this term is important) worn is unique, with personal meaning to the dancer. The amount of work, detail and care that goes into making regalia making is abundantly clear.
Common dance styles that blend colour, beauty and motion in our region are (not in any particular order here):
Men’s traditional: Often defined by controlled steps, an eagle feather bustle, breastplate, and traditional sacred items.
Women’s traditional: Subtle footwork while carrying a shawl, eagle fan or feather, with minimal upper-body movement.
Men’s grassdance: Smooth, continuous movements with ribbon fringe or yarn that ripples and sways.
Women’s fancy shawl: Fast turns, skips and flowing movements with a brightly coloured fringed shawl.
Jingle dress: Light, rhythmic footwork, the metallic sound of hundreds of jingles beautifully organized on the dress regalia.
Men’s fancy dance: Explosive and high-energy jumps, spins and rapid footwork with brightly coloured double bustles.
Woodland style: Smooth and elegant moves with regalia adorned with floral patterns and intricate beadwork, reflecting the Great Lakes.
Chicken dance: Almost mimicking the motion of prairie birds, this style is quick and precise.
It is not uncommon for dance styles to visit our region, such as hoop-dancing, smoke dancing and many others.
Acknowledging that it is never the way, but a way, this column is merely casting a wide net and shares general (but not universal) insight. Individual communities follow their own protocols, times and ways of going about things in a positive manner. It is our differences that make things exciting, unique and quite special.
Also, this written piece is defined by breadth rather than depth. More knowledge (such as the difference between traditional and contemporary powwows), history, purpose of dance styles and community protocols are far beyond the scope of this column and rest with the communities, dancers and elders.
Niigaanii asemaa. (Tobacco leads.)
Insight and ethics
There was a time, not long ago, when such celebrations were banned under federal law. This long stretch of identity suppression lasted for a long time and was punishable by arrest.
An interesting fact from our home is that Betty (who founded the pink store on Scott Street) used to help Anishinaabe families by hiding many families’ regalia and sacred items in the hollowed-out wall at the back of the store—temporarily keeping them safe when needed. This ensured that identity and culture would continue for countless others, likely families of many of the dancers of today. She was a true gem and friend.
You will see families “on the powwow trail” who travel, camp and define their summers with beautiful celebration.
Be sure to listen to the emcee to hear what dance styles will be (and when specials happen).
Intertribal is when all who wish to dance join in together.
A round-dance (based in community and friendship) invites all together to form a circle of relatives and appreciation to song.
There are often vendors selling items at booths.
If you loved the Fort Frances Burger Wars event, the food prepared at our canteens will put you over the edge. My Grandmother Elsie (born in Manitou Rapids and later moved to Onigaming and eventually Couchiching) would travel all summer with her good friend Annie with a white and yellow canteen trailer, and we kids could not stay away.
She even gave us plastic cups to catch grasshoppers as an official task when she didn’t want us disrupting her line and sales. Delicious on a whole other level. Treat yourself to a Bannock burger and a sno-cone, and you will know what it was like to hear the Beatles for the first time—but instead of the Beatles, singers from the Rainy River area and the drum they carry.
There is likely an area for elders to enjoy the celebration in comfort.
If a feather falls from a dancer during the songs, a special ceremony is done before dancing continues.
There are also (like anywhere) ethics to follow based on respect. It is important not to touch others’ regalia, sit in anyone else’s seat and to ask before taking photos. Asking questions can be helpful, but to the extent that it is respectful and how you would like a visitor to temper it when visiting your home. Sobriety and a respectful disposition while celebrating life and enjoying the event are also key.
Be sure that attending is based in appreciation of the opportunity and what is experienced and shared.
One family
One of the common things asked in our area is, “If I am not Anishinaabe. Am I allowed to attend?”
Absolutely. Respectful visitors are welcome to share in the joy.
You may even see visitors and guests find their rhythm and join the circle and dance (even lightly as they walk) when invitations are announced to all.
In fact, being open to new opportunities to learn the beauty of one another’s cultures (regardless of our personal beliefs, origin or where we call home) is one of the most elegantly beautiful parts of who we all are in this diverse, dynamic human family—be it individuals, families, communities or nations. We all carry beauty—both ancient and contemporary, indivisible—let’s meet one another as relatives, finding each other once more.
Ambe, inzhaadaa Anishinaabe-niimi’iding! (Come, let’s all go to the powwow!)
Dedicated to (and in memory of) Elsie (Horton) Bruyere, (Ozaawikoons) and Jodie Lynne Tucker, (Bebaamaashiik).
Robert Horton is an educator, author, orator and linguist. He is a member of Rainy River First Nations.
