Third year powwow celebrates women everywhere

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Once again the beat of a drum and dancers swaying in their colorful regalia will be the scene as the community of Dokis First Nation celebrates their third annual Honoring All Women powwow, June 28 and 29.

Local and out-of-town dancers and drummers will perform. Scheduled to appear are the Anishnabe Sobriety Singers, the co-host drum from Sault Ste. Marie, the Shedockii Singers from Whitefish Lake, and dancers from six categories and in all age ranges.

Food vendors will serve Indian tacos, fish, fries and hamburgers. According to Veronica Dokis, a powwow committee member, each year a different theme is chosen for the annual event, after a letter asking for suggestions has been returned to the committee from the community. This year, the theme Honoring All Women was chosen.

"In regards to the theme, we've asked a women's drum group to come and do a song for all women not just the women of the community. I think that this is a great idea, because in our culture, we believe that the women are the keepers of the water. We will be doing special things throughout the celebration to honor women everywhere," she said.

The community of about 1,000 registered members has nearly 200 living on the reserve, which is located on the French River south of Sudbury near North Bay. They attract a lot of tourists each year.

Dokis mentioned that a number of tourists from the United States who own summer homes along the French River always attend the powwow. "We get people from all over Ontario, and we want to let people know that it is open to everyone across Canada," she said.

Dokis said that people have the option of bringing their tents and staying close to the powwow grounds, or they can make early arrangements to stay in one of the tourist lodges in the area.

Co-ordinator Gladys Goulis said that since the community's first powwow in 2001, everyone really looks forward to the event. "The first year we had more than 500 people attend. Last year it was close to that amount, and it was really hot last year and we hope that it is nice out again. If it is too warm, or if it rains, it should not be a problem, most people who travel the powwow trails know what to expect so they are usually prepared for all types of weather. They usually have rain gear, sunscreen and extra blankets," she said.

Goulis is grateful for the band's financial support each year, the fundraising that the committee does throughout the year and the help they get from surrounding communities.

"We are happy that the band is supportive; we really do need their help because the committee's fundraising alone would not make it happen," she said.

She said that the committee usually begins its planning and fundraising for next year's powwow the day after the powwow is over.

Kirby Mianskum, who is scheduled to emcee the powwow, is looking forward to attending it. He said that the powwows in Dokis are really good. "It is really beautiful there, very scenic. I find that the organizers, who are people in the community, volunteer 150 per cent of their time to get everything ready for the powwow. The people are friendly there-they really take care of their guests," he said.