Heritage organization maintains tradition

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The Wikwemikong competiton powwow on Manitoulin Island continues to draw visitors from throughout Turtle Island because it consistently includes culture.

According to Peggy Pitawanakwat, one of three masters of ceremonies presiding over the 2002 event, "Traditional aspects are included in the planning for both the participants and the audience. This powwow is by far the largest cultural event in our community. It allows family and friends to get together and it also lets visitors share the beauty in our culture."

The Wikwemikong Heritage Organization is also very progressive, Pitawanakwat added. At the Aug. 3 to 5 powwow she served her second season as a master of ceremonies. "It is very unusual to have women emcees," she noted. "The committee has made a commitment to have women more fully involved in the program."

"I am still apprenticing," she says. "It is a great honor but also a great challenge. There are so many details to consider and so much to be observant to in this role. It feels good to be involved at this level. It is more comfortable for the women participants to come to a female emcee; I have received really positive feedback from the female dancers and the women traders as well."

Trail blazing is not a new experience for Pitawankwat, however; she was Wikwemikong's first female chief in 1997-98. And currently she directs the restorative justice program.

The 42nd annual powwow held on the unceded reserve on Civic Holiday weekend featured some perennial events and some new items. The drum contest with prize money of $5,000 for first place and the adult dance category with a payout of $1,500 drew a lot of attention.

Youth were centre stage in the "To honour our children special" for both boys and girls aged 7 to 12. Also, the walking-in ceremony for a child's first powwow dance is always heart-warming.

Other specials included a salute to First Nation war veterans and a memorial tribute to loved ones.

Individuals celebrating milestone birthdays were also honored.

Storytelling, hand drum and golden age dance were well-received. Perennial favorite, the jingle dress dance, attracted many entrants ages 13 to 17.

One novelty event that touched everyone's funny bone was the "Indian car contest." A convoy of rusty vehicles spewing blue smoke paraded around the arena much to the delight of the crowd. With doors falling off, engines sputtering and tires flattening, the well-used cars rumbled past the judges. A new set of tires and some motor oil were up for grabs.

One of the most demanding competitions at this year's powwow was the smoke dance. Competitors in both male and female categories had to be agile, alert, athletic and capable of freezing the action instantly.

"Sharing our past for the future of our nation" was the theme of the 2002 gathering.

The event was sponsored by Casino Rama, as well as by Wikwemikong community members and corporations.