MORAVIANTOWN – The Delaware Nation of the Thames held its 50th annual powwow on the weekend, and a long-time New Yorker who played an important role in the first one held here was there to help celebrate.
“I’m really glad I’m here,” said George Stonefish, who returned to his home community on the weekend to be part of the milestone event. “It’s fantastic.”
Stonefish, who was a champion fancy dancer in his teens, which included performing for the Queen of England and a Canadian Prime Minister he can’t recall, was enlisted 51 years ago to teach his skills to local youth in the First Nation community.
He recalled being 14 when he returned to Moraviantown for the summer to teach local youth traditional dances.
“There was a lot of exuberance, a lot of people wanted to get involved so they came to the classes,” Stonefish said.
He also taught members of the community how to make bussels – the decorative feather pieces that adorn outfits – in order for them to be self-sufficient so they didn’t have to buy dance outfits.
“It was my first summer job,” Stonefish said. “It was a good position and I really enjoyed working with my people here.”
He added, “The powwow has been amazing pretty much since then.”
Stonefish said in the early years of the Moraviantown powwow, many Indigenous dancers from Michigan also came to help get the event established.
“They were already set in the powwow scene and they brought their understanding of powwow here,” he said.
Miranda Cryle-Huff, 28, originally from Moraviantown, has been taking part in her home community’s powwow pretty much her whole life, which has included having important roles in the event.
She was the head female dancer for the 50th powwow and had the same position for the 40th annual event.
“I’m very honored they thing me,” said Cryle-Huff.
She began dancing in powwows from the time she started walking, which led to her taking part in competition powwows beginning at age 13.
Cryle-Huff said her mother recognized her talent for traditional dancing and began making outfits for her to wear in competitions.
When asked what the powwow means for her community, Cryle-Huff said, “I think it’s being able to bring everybody together once a year.”
She said dancers come from across Canada and the United States to participate.
“It brings just good energy,” Cryle-Huff said.
Delaware Nation of the Thames Chief Denise Stonefish said the weekend was fantastic especially after coming through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The powwow is open to anyone and many non-Indigenous people attend.
It was Aurora Cesarini’s first time attending a powwow on Sunday.
The 17-year-old international student from Italy, who is attending school in Chatham-Kent, said, “It was so colorful and I didn’t expect so many people to be there.”
She was also impressed with how much merchandise and food was available to buy.
Stonefish said the purpose of inviting everyone is “to give them an opportunity to come and view our traditions and our culture.”
She added the dances and drumming all have a cultural significance.
Noting the impact that residential schools and the Sixties Scoop had on numerous Indigenous people losing their traditions and culture, Stonefish said powwows provide “a sense of pride in who we are as a people.”
When asked how it feels to be chief when her community is celebrating such a milestone event, Stonefish was quick to give credit to the organizers.
“I’d like to give thanks to my staff, because without them this could not be pulled off in the manner that it is,” she said.
Stonefish also credits past band councils for deciding to continue to have the powwow over the years to ensure the community had a celebration to look forward to.
The chief gave a special thank you to the young participants, citing their importance for the future.
“They will be carrying our traditions and our culture for years to come,” Stonefish said.