By Angela Brown

Powwow brings community together

Nov 4, 2017 | 11:00 AM

The Battlefords area Indigenous community came together Friday night for the start of their weekend powwow festival.

The annual Gold Eagle Casino Sakicawasihk Powwow runs all weekend at the Civic Centre and will see visitors from across North America, according to Roger Anderson, one of the chairs of the organizing committee.

“We usually have contestants right from British Columbia, across the Prairie provinces, sometimes the Eastern part, and from the U.S.,” Anderson said. “We’ve had people as far as Arizona and New Mexico join us.”

Last year, the celebration had about 400 dancers take part, Anderson said, noting organizers are expected to top this number in 2017. While attracting those from around the continent, the event also draws a big following from the area.

“North Battleford has a big history of drummers, singers and dancers,” Anderson said. “There is a lot of history in this area.”

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Among the participants was Khoniss Wuttunee from the Red Pheasant First Nation, who said one of the highlights of powwow was the relationships shed developed. Wuttunee was taking part in the Jingle Dress Dance Friday night. This form of dance is associated with healing and the young woman, who was recently diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, said the dance has worked for her.

“I think it really helps me. I always feel good when I dance; I don’t feel tired,” she explained.

Wuttunee is focused on looking after her health and appreciates how the Jingle Dance helps her heal. The youth, who is a university student, said she is interested in the history of the dance specifically for its healing power. She received an award for excellence in dance when she graduated from North Battleford Comprehensive High School in 2016.

Wuttunee’s mother Janice Nicotine, made her daughter’s regalia for the event. The dress takes nearly 20 hours to craft.

“You’re putting everything together. For the beadwork itself her relative made it for her and worked two weeks day and night,” she said. “That was a really quick job for her.”

Nicotine said her husband made her first Jingle Dress when she was 32 years old, and her 18-year-old daughter now wears it.

“It’s actually older than her by two years,” Nicotine said with a laugh.”They keep a long time if you make them really well.”

Competition winners will be announced Sunday evening.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow