Winding down the powwow trail

Page 5

Terrying About

Tansi!!

Hope you are all enjoying the summer because it's only here temporarily. Yeah, winter is around the corner.

o The Aug. 21 to 23 Alexander Powwow was surely a delight for traditionalists who dislike the money angle that so many powwows have embraced.

The event managed to attract at least a dozen drums and 230 registered dancers. The weather co-operated, making it all the easier for visitors and participants "to get into it," said powwow co-ordinator Audra Arcand. She said that next year, the powwow will be held in June, likely on the Father's Day weekend.

Initiated into the Grass Dance at the powwow was Conway Kootenay. For those who weren't on hand to witness it for themselves, it was a special feature attraction when all the lead drummers came together as one to drum for all the other drummers who got to their feet and kicked up a storm, demonstrating their prowess with some exhibition dancing.

o Some Albertans were in the money at British Columbia's Kamloopa Powwow. Winners included first place Verlina Black Kettle (Calgary), Craig First Rider (Calgary), Kelsie First Rider (Morley), Kris Frencheater (Rocky Mtn. Hs.), Ardell Scalplock (Siksika, now living in Calif.), and Ardell and Doug Rain who linked up with Saskatchewan's Kevin Haywahe, to win Team Dancing.

Placing second were Cody Alexis (Calgary), Fabian Bird (Edmonton.), Maggie and A.J. Black Kettle (Calgary), Joel Chief Body (Lethbridge), Tanya Crawler (Morley), Kyle Pasquayak (Saddle Lake), Natasha Shouting (Kainai), Wyanne Smallboy (Smallboy Camp), Dalen Whitford (Rocky Mountain House) and Tim Yellowhorn (Lethbridge).

In the drumming contest, the second and third-place wins went to two Calgary groups - Da Bad Boyz and Last Rider.

Crowned last year, the Kamloopa Powwow Princess Tamara Shouting from the Blood Tribe performed her last official duty when she passed on the crown to Liberty Cree, an Assiniboine/Cree from Wapato, Washington.

o The powwow circuit is fast drawing to a close for the season and we certainly hope everyone was able to travel safely and get home without injury or any major vehicle problems. We'll likely see many of you on the circuit again next year. It does make my heart soar to cross paths and connect again and again with friends and acquaintances.

o Speaking of safety, now that the school year is back in full swing, do drive extra carefully around our children, our future . . . PLEASE. And thank you!

o The Native Brotherhood at Drumheller Pen celebrate their 30th Annual Powwow from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 26. If you're planning to attend, get in a formal request for security clearance right away!

Brotherhood secretary-treasurer Russell Noskey informs us that they hold regular cultural nights, sweats, pipes, healing circles, general meetings and so on. They rely on guidance from Siksika Elder Chris Strangling Wolf and Native liaisons Robert Thomas and Bernard Bearshirt.

o In his first fight since winning the Canadian Cruiser weight championship on May 29, Red Thunder Rock (Willard Lewis) scored an impressive and convincing win over American Ken McCurdy on Aug. 6 in Slave Lake. Lewis put his man away in the second round and received favorable mention by some big-name boxing aficionados from the States. It seems that they view him as a good prospect for bigger fights and bigger money in future.

Catch up on more news in our October. issue. Hi-hi.