Powwows that are public are meant for everyone. These are conducted in local communities at special times of the year, giving thanks for the bounties of the earth or paying tribute to veterans who died in action during a war, for women, for elders, youth, teachers, medicine people and leaders or warriors. There are ceremonies around the drum that are not public. Picture taking is permitted, with one exception - no pictures should be taken of the pipe ceremony. Powwows that are advertised are open to the public. This is a prayer for all the people, including the dancers and visitors. After the dancers have encircled the drum and are in position, a spiritual or medicine man performs a pipe ceremony. During this time, a single line of all the dancers enters the arena, dancing.

The dancers themselves interpret the meaning of their outfits.Ī recent addition to the powwow is the grand entry, used to begin the event. Still others honor animal beings, the bear, the fox, and the deer. Some represent birds, others flowering grass. Colorful outfits represent personal reflections and traditional meaning connected with the earth. Songs are sung during specific seasons of the year, with special purpose and significant customs accompanying them. One is that it is a perfect time to say thank you to the dancers, elders and veterans.Dances and ceremonies of indigenous native people convey a deep spiritual meaning. “Even right up to (the) Grand Entry people will… keep registering,” said AhenakewĪhenakew explained that it’s no coincidence the powwow is on Thanksgiving weekend.

He said it is considered an international celebration that has attracted people from as far away as Germany and Israel.īefore the final powwow on Sunday there were already more than 500 dancers registered and about 100 more were still expected to join. a better place for our children.”Īhenakew warned against the misconception that this powwow is exclusive to the Prince Albert area. “We started this many, many years ago as a bridging effort between First Nations and Non-First Nations together in a positive aspect in Prince Albert to try to promote some unity… and find a way to walk on the road together towards the common goal of making P. Richard Ahenakew, general manager of the Northern Lights Casino and chair of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, said it’s one of the bigger ones in the country. This weekend was the 12th Annual Northern Light's Casino Thanksgiving Powwow held at the Art Hauser Centre. The increased hustle and bustle of the city was due to more than just people coming home for Thanksgiving. Prince Albert was a little busier this weekend.

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