Children's powwow attracts hundreds

Page 2

What began as a mini-powwow to introduce preschool-aged children to powwows and their significance has now become a popular annual event with attendance increasing steadily over the last four years.

The first Scme'm'i?t (children's) powwow had 100 people attend, half of them children from area preschools. Invitations were sent to every daycare and preschool in Merritt, as well as to the three head start programs: Little Stars (Lower Nicola), Upper Nicola and Coldwater Headstart.

This year's powwow, hosted by the Headstart programs from the three bands, had a record 500 people turn out, despite rain and a last-minute move from the Shulus Arbour to the next-door Shulus Arena.

The seven Nicola Valley First Nations, including all area band and public school students were invited, along with the kindergarten and preschool children. The youngest child was 10 days old; the youngest in regalia was 10-month-old Sydney Joe, wearing a tiny pink jingle dress.

Ten-year-old junior brave grass dancer Tyler James Zabotel of Soda Creek did a floor-cleansing dance around the arena ahead of the grand entry.

He was followed by flag bearers, chiefs and council members of the three host bands, Elders and invited guests. Local dignitaries then said welcoming prayers and speeches.

Lower Nicola Indian Band Chief Arthur Dick welcomed the gathering by stating the children's powwow is a place to come together to learn the culture, traditions and the old ways of the First Nation people that were all but lost since the introduction of European settlers to the continent.

"It gives me great pleasure, it overwhelms my heart, to see all my people gathered together here today, and I welcome you all... We are attempting to heal the wrongs of our past, and today, our people are (learning) our culture from our parents, our grandparents," he told the multicultural gathering.

He described the powwow as a celebration. "We celebrate the children that are here today that one day will be leaders; they may be chiefs, councillors. With that I welcome you all today, I welcome you all with an open heart."

Guest emcee Bill Zabotel of Bonaparte First Nation invited everyone to take part in the intertribal dancing. Throughout the dances, he gave a running commentary to the children about the traditions and the origins of the dances and the regalia worn by the dancers.

He told the children the legend of how the sacred jingle dress came to a medicine man in a vision. In his dream a spirit told the man to make the dress for his granddaughter and she would be cured. He did, and she was.

He told of how the women wanted to dance at powwows like the men and were allowed to dance only if they imitated the movements of a butterfly-that was the beginning of the women's fancy shawl dance.

He also told the story of how the grass dancers move in the same flowing rhythmic motions as tall grasses on the land.