Squamish Nation celebrates 12th annual powwow

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Fancy, traditional, tiny tots and more all showed their best dance moves at the Squamish Nation's 12th annual powwow held at the Capilano Indian Reserve's Xumelch'sten Park in North Vancouver on Aug. 4 to 6. Powwow co-ordinator Gloria Nahanee said the powwow, dedicated, as always, to youth, was a success.

"Having a powwow here is very important for the Squamish Nation because we want our young people to enjoy three days of excitement based on the teachings from the Elders. The teachings they get, based on honesty, love, sharing or respect, is what I like to do it for. This is our 12th annual powwow and it is always dedicated to our youth. It is for our young people, because we want them to see a better way of life," said Nahanee. "Especially about being drug and alcohol free and having fun without drugs and alcohol.

"I really like promoting a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle for our young people here at the Squamish Nation. The young people also get a chance to travel out to different powwows to dance," she said.

More than 2,000 people attended the powwow each day. The powwow was free for the Elders and children under 12, but adults were charged $5.

"I'd like to thank the Creator that we did not have any rain at all at this year's powwow. Throughout the 12 years of having powwows here, I remember being rained out twice, where we could not hold our powwows because of the rain. This year is great," said Nahanee.

"I'd also like to thank my family, who supported me, and the volunteers. They worked really hard. We raised the money ourselves to we pay our dancers. The payments came out of the money that we made from the concession stand and the gate admission," said Nahanee.

This year at the powwow, the Squamish Nation held a Contract For Life signing ceremony with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. Contracts For Life is an initiative between the Squamish Nations Youth, Elders and the insurance company to help curb automobile accidents. Several people signed the contract, which is a promise not to drink and drive.

"ICBC is always promoting road safety, and car accidents are the number one killer of all young people everywhere. The insurance company wanted to get the word out that it is wrong to drink and drive. They wanted to do something with the First Nations people, so they called our band office and we met with them. They wanted to do something Coast Salish," said Nahanee. "In the Squamish Nation, our youth are our number one priority, so we did a ceremony for the Contract for Life," she said.

Along with the Capilano Indian Reserve in Vancouver, 26 reserves stretch out along the coast from Vancouver to the town of Squamish which is located 67 km from Vancouver. More than 3,000 Coast Salish First Nations people call the Squamish Nation their home.