Visited Drumheller

Page 4

People and Places

Oki.

I haven't done too much traveling lately, but I did go to the Drumheller Institution to attend their 30th annual powwow.

I didn't know what to expect. I was nervous, but as soon as I arrived, they gave me the royal treatment.

They had 30 dancers at the powwow. The drummers were inmates. The attendance was the most they had ever had. They had invited Elders and a lot of the support from people on both sides of the prison walls.

I had a chance to talk with Rusty Noskiye, secretary treasurer for the Native Brotherhood. He told me how much time and effort was put into organizing this event. He also introduced me to Clarence Boucher. Clarence set up the fundraising and got the dancers to take part. The major fundraiser was the Tipi Project, where the guys made tipis and sold them to places outside of the prison.

#As well as the powwow, there was a feast and giveaway.

I had a positive feeling all around, because I know these guys are paying the price of their faults, but they need at bit of positive fun to go on.

One of the guys I was thoroughly impressed with was Rick No Name. Originally from Piapot, Sask. His creativity is with paints. His natural talent shows his Native background in all of his work. He paints seeking the Native spirituality within himself. You can see it in his work.

I was thinking to myself before I went in that I would probably have to give them a run down on who I am and why I'm there, but they all knew who I was beforehand. I was flattered because they treated me like a little sister. I haven't been received like that anywhere else before.

I had a very nice time and I'll be sure to attend another one of their events.

? Since I was that far south, I thought I should go and surprise my friend, Sherry. She was getting married the same day as the powwow. So right after the powwow, I went straight to the rez. I had a short but great time. Congratulations Sherry and Donovan!!

How was Thanksgiving? Mmmmturkey and stuffing. Maybe, I shouldn't say any more, I'm getting hungry again.

? In Indian Country, I am known as the bingo queen. I have no problem with being called that. I only get upset when I go to regular bingo, thinking because I'm the Bingo Queen, the bingo gods would give me special treatment and shine on my cards. They ignore me. I seem to walk out of the bingo hall, saying the famous line, "I just needed one more number." (I try not to say the other famous bingo line, you know, the one with the four letters.)

So, to all you bingo players out there, even the Bingo Queen does not qualify for any special treatment.