After being sidelined for two years due to the pandemic, the powwow made its much-anticipated return to Walpole Island over the long weekend.
Participants from near and far made the most of the opportunity to reconnect, given the importance of gathering and tradition to the community.
“It’s been a long time coming. It feels good,” said Stephen Saelens, a volunteer and co-organizer, on Saturday. “It’s one of those things you look forward to all year.
“You can tell there was definitely a desire to get back.”
Since early 2020, COVID-19 shut down most events, particularly those of a larger scale requiring more extensive logistical planning and expense.
However, organizers were able to make the powwow happen this year with a couple of months of preliminary work, Saelens said.
“This one sort of came together really quick,” he said. “Things worked out all right.”
Saelens added the weekend was an emotional one for many people. In recent years, there have been grave discoveries at residential schools across the country, bringing the issue back to the forefront.
He called the powwow a source of comfort.
“It’s not just the community here, but it’s drawing people from other communities all to gather,” he said. “That’s really what the essence of the powwow is.”
Due to the weather, the weekend wasn’t without its challenges. With rain in the forecast, the activities and vendors were moved inside the arena. However, in the wake of the storm, there was a power outage for several hours, which participants took in stride.
Lonna Shipman, who called the powwow’s return to Walpole Island “extremely healing,” said it had an even greater importance, as she brought her young daughter along.
“It feels wonderful. It’s her first powwow,” she said.
Shipman has danced since she was two years old, adding she’s looking forward to passing down the tradition.
Jesse Kewageshig, an armed forces medic currently stationed in Manitoba, is originally from Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
He said the powwow was something he’s been missing for the past two years, as he donned traditional regalia gifted to him by an elder in his community.
“It’s the first time I’ve been able to wear it since COVID,” he said. “I feel honored to be able to wear this. To bring it new life. … There’s just so much history.”
Kewageshig believes with all the division in the world, which has worsened in many respects during the pandemic, more events like this are needed to foster culture and understanding.
“We’re all here for the same purpose. To have a good time,” he said.