Winston weds Laura

Page 13

Winston David Wuttunee and Laura Sylvia Calmwind were wed, July 19, in the company of tens of thousands of country music lovers at Craven, Saskatchewan during

the Big Valley Jamboree.

The long-time sweethearts looked as if they were made for each other in their colorful ribbon decorated apparel, buckskin and beads.

A blending of traditional contemporary garments, rituals and ceremonies made for a pleasing and culturally-oriented wedding. The best man was this reporter, a long-time friend of Wuttunee's. The maid of honor was Calmwind's sister, Sarah MacKay. Both wore ribbon garments as well.

The setting for the wedding ceremony was the outdoors in the national surround-ings beneath the watchful eye of the Creator.

With patches of clouds, sunshine, and a light breeze, the occasion commenced with Wuttunee and his best man riding horseback, to Wuttunee's tipi camp, from the east.

Once they'd dismounted, the two went and stood before 93-year-old Elder, Harry Brabant, Wuttunee's uncle and adopted father. It is he who acts as Wuttunee's spiritual advisor and is famous for his fine memory.

Wuttunee, myself, Billy Brittian (world renowned Hoop dancer) and Stephan (Wuttunee's son) then joined together in a sweetgrass smudging.

The bride then approached the group from the west accompanied by her maid of honour, bridesmaid and flower girl.

Once this group has assembled, another sweetgrass ceremony was conducted. Brabant offered a prayer and Brittian sang an honour song.

The Reverend David Squire performed the legal Christian portion of the ceremony uniting the couple in holy wedlock.

He was especially pleased with the mixing of traditional and contemporary customs for the wedding which included not only the exchanging of vows and rings but also eagle feathers.

The rings, along with the feathers, were smudged in the smoke from sweetgrass and prayed over by Brabant before being exchanged by the bride and groom.

As rings and feathers were transferred, the groom tied two eagle plumes in his bride's hair and she tied one large feather in her husband's hair.

Johnson Anotin, an uncle of the bride was the relative who gave her away to become one with Wuttunee.

Calmwind's mother, Ellen MacKay, sang "Amazing Grace" in Cree for the couple. She had travelled from Ontario for the special occasion.

A specially composed love song by one of Wuttunee's backup singers, Honey Hill, was sung by Hill and Ilana Zaramba to the accompaniment of guitarist and friend Richard Denesiuk. Yet another song was sung by Wuttunee's son, Eric.

Following the formal ceremony, Brittian sang another honor song after which everyone joined hands to participate in a customary round dance led and sung by Wuttunee.

When all had been concluded, the weeding party moved to the main compound of the Jamboree to sit down to a reception and feast replete toasts and speeches. The MC was George Tuccaro of Yellowknife.

After the feast, the bride and her mother presented gifts to family members,

special visitors and official members of the wedding party.

About 40 people, attended the ceremony which was conducted in an open field just north of the Big Valley Jamboree grandstand. The site and date for the wedding had been decided about two months prior and selected because the groom knew that many of his relatives would be on hand attending the Jamboree.

In speaking to the guests, the bride and groom told of how they had met and knew they were meant to one day be man and wife sharing their lives together.

The balance of this day was taken up with visiting at the bride and groom's camp and songs performed by these present who are blessed with the gift of song. In all, it was a moving, colorful, and happy occasion.

(We at "Windspeaker" take this opportunity to congratulate and share in the joy

of Winston and Laura's exchanging of vows and commitment in the presence of our Creator."