Williams Lake hosts gathering

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The nineteenth annual Secwepemc gathering was hosted by the T'exelc (Williams Lake) Indian band from Aug. 15 to 20. Hundreds of members of the Secwepemc nation came from all over the central interior to renew old friendships and participate in the activities organized by the local community.

Roxanne Johnson and Kristy Palmantier organized the schedule of events for the gathering. Johnson, who has attended many such gatherings, said, "Every year the events are a little different and part of the fun is seeing what type of activities will be offered."

The people who attended this year in Williams Lake were not disappointed. There were activities organized to entertain every age group at the Sugar Cane community, the Chief Will-Yum Campsite, and Belle-E Acres Golf Course.

Friday night began with fun-ball and a fashion show at the Sugar Cane community gym.

On Saturday there was a choice of floor hockey, baseball or golf, as well as the opportunity to compete in a lahal tournament for a $1,000 prize.

Lahal is a gambling game with eight-member teams playing with sticks.

The highlight of the day was at one o'clock. The traditional powwow began with the grand entry and dedication of the new powwow arbour at the Chief Will-Yum Campsite.

"The plans for the new arbour were started in November of 2002 by the Economic Development Department of T'exelc. The community members built it themselves," Johnson said. The beautiful structure is built with large logs provided by Pioneer Log Homes, a business that operates on community land.

Those more politically minded were able to listen in on the chief's "bull" throwing competition on Saturday afternoon. The evening ended with a dance at the Sugar Cane community hall.

A Catholic mass with four baptized and a six kilometre moccasin run were among the highlights on Sunday. Both days started with a hearty pancake breakfast and a cooked supper at Chief Will-Yum.

There were concessions and craft booths open all weekend, as well as supervised activities for children, and a Velcro wall (an event where participants dress up in Velcro and throw themselves against a Velcro wall, to land stuck like a bug) for those sillier at heart.

Mike Retasket, chief of the Bonaparte Indian band in Cache Creek said, "We come together to share laughs and food and have a fun time."

This was evident by the smiling faces, laughter and milling about of people on the ball fields and throughout the rows of tents at Chief Will-Yum Campsite. The weekend ended with an intertribal tug of war before the closing ceremonies on Sunday.

Johnson was pleased with how the weekend was supported. She said, "Everything went well. The weather was good and we all had a good time."

Tommy Johnson from Alkali Lake won first place in the moccasin run in the men's category. Wenona Michel from Sugar Cane placed first in the women's run. A six-man team from Alkali Lake took home the $1,000 prize from the lnahal tournament.