OCEAN MAN FIRST NATIONS - Once again, the road that led to the Lost Horse Hills powwow grounds was a busy route, with campers, cars and trucks to join in on the Ocean Man First Nations (OMFN) powwow.
Many dancers came from all areas of the southeast to compete in the powwow, but OMFN’s were not entered, as it is protocol not to compete at one’s own powwow. It is considered to be disrespectful to those that attend from other areas, as they are invited to attend and compete.
The event ran from Sept. 6-8, bringing in over 200 dancers, which is similar to the years before.
Upon entering the gate, security was there to greet each vehicle, and they asked about drugs and alcohol as all powwows are free of substances.
At the grounds, food booths addressed everyone’s hunger with the native bannock buns, and there were also booths with ribbon skirts, Indigenous jewelry and trinkets for customers to purchase.
A first aid station was set up, with a security booth close by for those who needed direction.
The host drum group Iron Whistle started the event with the traditional grass dance. According to Chief Connie Bigeagle, this dance is performed to flatten the grass and has a circular motion to signify the grass being stepped down.
Once the grass dance is complete, the grand entry takes place, led in by dignitaries, and followed by all the dancers, as they circle around the outside to the beat of the drums.
The grand entry takes place in the evenings and during the weekend also in the afternoon. Each time they display the colourful regalia, and to the beat of the drums.
Bigeagle welcomed everyone to the powwow and pointed out the following weekend in Fort Qu'Appelle, the 150th anniversary of Treaty 4 was going to be celebrated.
Announcers Vern Chocan and Amos McArthur kept the crowd going with the introductions of the performers, while arena directors Glenn Pelletier and Tim Delorme kept things moving smoothly.
Invited drums Buffalo Lodge Singers, Cree Spirit and Pipestone Dakota took turns singing and drumming through the massive event.
As the dancers donned their colourful regalia and jingles, they danced the day away, with several categories from tiny tots, fancy shawl, juniors, teens, junior adult, senior adult and the golden age.
Often regalia is passed down from generation to generation and has a special place in the family. Other regalia is made specially for the individual, and it is very sacred to the person who wears it.
The vests and dresses are heavy and hot. While some of the beadwork is made of actual bone, these tend to be much heavier than the ones made from plastic, but give a similar appearance.
Thousands of beads are sewn in place on the regalia along with hundreds of jingles. Each time the dancer moves with the drums, the jingles dance in beat with the music, echoing through the valley.
OMFN did more upgrades to the powwow grounds by adding a seating area for the elderly, with a long ramp and viewing site for those who came, but there was also some destruction before the powwow began with the beautiful painting by Brian McArthur being destroyed.
McArthur was quite upset about this, as he had put many hours into creating the painting that he had hoped was going to be there a long time.
At this time, it is not known when or if the painting will be replaced.
As the powwow came to an end, and people slowly left, the lights of the powwow grounds could be seen from the hill, as it is nestled in the valley at Lost Horse Hills.
