Gloria Nahanee’s favourite part of the annual youth powwow is at the height of the event when she does a walk around.
“Saturday, early evening, I will take a walk around the grounds and see a lot of our youth, the Nation’s youth, on the grounds, laughing, having fun – everyone dressed in regalia and they are proud of themselves, and we know where they are at and they are safe,” she said. “They will remember it one day, and that is what it is all about.”
The Squamish Nation 28th Annual Youth Powwow 2016 is set for July 8 to 10. Although it is held at 100 Mathias Rd. in West Vancouver, many Squamish Nation members and non-natives go to the event.
Nahanee revived the Squamish Nation traditional powwow 28 years ago.
“I got my daughters learning the powwow way back when at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Vancouver,” she said.
“Our ancestors had powwows at Capilano at the field… from 1947-1958 and then as they were passing on, it stopped until 1987.”
The first powwow Nahanee helped organized in the late 1980s had 10 dancers, but by 2014, the festival had 10 drum groups and up to 200 dancers.
The event was cancelled last year after the death of Nahanee’s brother and brother-in-law, who were greatly involved in the event.
She said she feels rejuvenated because so many are anticipating this year’s event.
“Because we didn’t have it last year people are so excited,” she said. “We are getting emails, phone calls, and our own band members are very excited about it.”
Young people in particular have stepped up to help prepare, she said.
Drumming, dancing, singing, food and celebration are the mainstays of the powwow, which gives youth a chance to express themselves and brings non-natives into intertribal dancing, Nahanee said. “Whether you know how to dance or not, regalia or not… it is just for everyone to feel that drum beat,” she said. “A lot of our youth don’t get to experience any of our Native culture.”
Squamish Nation Councillor Chris Lewis said the importance of the event for youth and for spreading Squamish Nation culture cannot be overstated.
Historically, the federal government through the Indian Act outlawed powwows and other First Nations ceremonies and celebrations, Lewis noted.
The celebrations are empowering for young dancers who often travel extensively and can make a name for themselves on the Powwow Trail – a series of summer powwows held in almost every province and U.S. state where dancers compete and share their culture with other Nations and communities, Lewis said.
He said the Squamish Nation powwow “is also a way to pay homage and recognition to those we have lost.”
Lewis said his favourite aspect of the weekend is the dance competition final.
“It is going to be great,” he said.
For more information on the upcoming festival, search “Squamish Nation 28th Annual Youth Powwow 2016” on Facebook.
