This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful event! A pow wow in Temagami, Ontario, a 2 day event of dancers and druming, singing and medicines.
Like all pow wows I've been to, this one started with grass dancers to bless the earth and will have bells on their ankles to wake up the earth. This picture I took after the grand entry.
Then it is the grand opening where all tribes come in the circle with their staff representing their clans, or their flags, like the eagle staff and Mohawk flag. We are introduced to the leaders and elders and clans. During the opening we are not allowed to take pictures so, sorry for not being able to show you.
Such a beautiful day that has been chosen for this event, this year's theme being Coming Home, we were gifted to see shall dancers, jingle dancers, Elder's doing their dance in protection for the men on their journeys.
Fun fact: Did you know that there are 365 cones on a jingle dress? It is supposed to take a whole year to make this dress. It is a lot of work and it is very sacred.
These dancers dance for healing. We can most often offer them a tobacco tie and ask them to dance for someone ill and hold them in prayer. After the dance is done they put the tobacco in the sacred fire.
Here, one man is preparing for a dance competition against 3 other men. A fierce competition it was too. This man brought power and strength to his dance and I can easily say that he was my favorite. He danced with the drum with all his heart and spirit and when it was over he was proud! His face shows every emotion that came from his hard work and that itself deserves a standing ovation.
Quite often there will be intertribal dances where everyone can dance as one. My kids never missed a chance to dance. Proud mama moment!
It was a fantastic day and I can't wait to go again. The next one is at Jocko Point in August I believe and there I will hopefully be able to see my favorite dancers, the Benson brothers. Here is a picture of one of the brothers from last year.
They are such great dancers!
Hope you enjoyed this sharing of the indigenous culture as I share with you my spiritual and cultural journey.
Miigwetch!