Inclusivity was a key part of the 34th annual Three Fires Homecoming Powwow and Traditional Gathering hosted by the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation on the weekend.
Because of the pandemic, it was the first in-person Three Fires powwow since 2019.
“We tried to keep it alive (during the pandemic) with videos and different things but it’s just not the same,” said Stacey Laforme, elected chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
“This weekend, I think the most special thing is seeing the people come together and talking and visiting, and seeing the youth.
“And then seeing our friends and allies come in and spend time with us. It means a lot. We do things together and we work on things. Once in a while we might go for dinner, but this (pow wow) beats all that.”
Laforme said he remembers the first Three Fires powwow was held on a dusty ball diamond, with only a few people in attendance.
It has grown tremendously over the last three decades, with about 3,000 people (spectators and participants) expected over the weekend.
“All powwows are welcoming, but ours are such a feeling of inclusivity and everybody’s welcome,” said Laforme.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your beliefs are, you just come out and dance and join us. We talk about our beliefs… our beliefs are inclusivity, friendship, respect and reciprocity. That’s how we move forward with everything we do.”
Laforme said he has met people who ask: “What can we do for you?”
He said he replies: “It’s not about that. It’s what can we do for each other?
“And that spirit, I think, carries over to our powwow.”
Friday was a night for entertainment. On Saturday and Sunday, there were grand entry and flag ceremonies, traditional invocations, drumming and singing, guest speakers, and intertribal dancing in a variety of styles. On Saturday night, there was a dancer/drummer feast, dancing and storytelling.
“I love to see the youth dance,” said Laforme. “The kids, the little ones, I live for that stuff.”
Mackenzie Porter, 22, from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, danced on the weekend in an old-style jingle dress.
“I’ve really missed coming together and being here because it’s a really pivotal part of our community,” she said.
“For me, it’s time with my family, sharing it with my nieces, my sister, and a lot of our family comes as well. We miss the extended family from other reserves.”
Porter said powwows are an opportunity for the community to express togetherness.
“We come together and share our culture with surrounding communities. I think it’s more about teaching, moreso than anything really. It’s a lot of fun, there’s lots to see.”
Porter said she has been a jingle dress dancer since she was a young girl
“I don’t really remember because I was so young, but as far as I know it’s given to you,” she said. “There’s a lot of teachings that go behind it and it’s quite important.”
“I dream about her first dress,” said her mother, Chrystal King.
“I don’t even know how to explain it because usually it’s about what you dream about,” said King.
“She was just tiny when I dreamed she was a jingle dress dancer. My other daughter, I always see her in traditional, same as me, so that’s what she is and she’s good with it. My granddaughters are little jingle dress dancers.
“It’s a lot of work to be a jingle dress dancer, a lot of responsibility. She (Mackenzie) just carries it, she does it well. Exceptionally well.”
John Sherry, 73, from Six Nations of the Grand River, a traditional Mohawk dancer, wore regalia consisting of bones, deer skin, eagle feathers, horse hair and wolf fur.
“I’ve been all over, I’ve danced in Arizona, Oklahoma. I’ve been dancing for 45 years maybe – I’m a retired teenager,” he added with a laugh.
“Today, this is an intertribal powwow, so you go out when you feel like it. Each song is for certain dancers. Right now is a common song for all dancers.”