A demonstration powwow held at Kin Park / Photo: Meghan Cobb

By Meghan Cobb

‘Each dance has a story’: demonstration powwow marks National Indigenous Peoples Day

Jun 21, 2022 | 4:53 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Medicine Hat community was invited to Kin Park on Tuesday afternoon for a demonstration powwow to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

The day of recognition is held each year on the summer solstice to learn about the cultures, voices and experiences of Canada’s First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

Anita Wagar, executive director of Saamis Employment and Training, says the day is just one step in a larger process.

“It’s important to recognize this day as part of Truth and Reconciliation,” says Wagar. “To celebrate this culture, to recognize the contribution of the Indigenous people of Canada, what they have actually contributed to Canada as part of healing.”

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Dancers from all over southern Alberta came to the powwow to showcase traditional dances like the grass dance, the chicken dance, the jingle dress dance and men’s and women’s fancy dance.

“Lots of different dance categories,” says Wagar. “And each category has a story. Those dances were created based on the movement of the Indigenous people.”

Wagar says hosting an event like the demonstration powwow is important to help build relationships with the broader community.

“I hope they learn about our culture,” Wagar says. “Part of doing this is sharing the Indigenous culture with non-Indigenous people, helping them to learn and understand.”

Theron Black is from the Kainai Nation and is the main coordinator for the event. He believes powwows are an opportunity to share culture and facilitate larger conversations.

“It’s a gateway into talking about reconciliation and learning about the history that involved our people,” says Black.

Black adds National Indigenous Peoples Day is a chance for Indigenous people to re-introduce themselves and their histories, and build relationships with non-Indigenous people.

“Our people believe in relationships with the land, the animals, and everything like that, and building relationships with our fellow people who we share the lands with.”

Black encourages people to attend powwows and ask questions about the dances and the drumming. He says all dancers have a story to tell with their dance, adding “our people are very humble, loving and caring for the territories and our lands.”

National Indigenous People’s Day has been recognized on June 21 since 1996.