Reflections on what makes a good powwow

August 20th was a beautiful day for a powwow. Everyone who arrived was brimming with excitement or curiosity. Everyone at the Ugpi’ganjig Powwow – traditional name for Eel River Bar – had the most welcoming smiles and beautiful regalia. It was a meticulously planned cultural event for Indigenous people to share with anyone who wanted to show up. What effort goes into these amazing get-togethers? Powwows do not just pop up overnight. D Labillois and his committee put 10 months of planning into this one.

Mr. Labillois is part of a committee of about 14 members whose preparation activities included planning the powwow, gathering sponsorships, calling guests of honour, and even petitioning to rename the Aboriginal Heritage Gardens to the Linda Miller Memorial Powwow Grounds. This name change honours Linda Miller as the first coordinator for Ugpi’ganjig’s yearly powwow. Mr. Labillois learned many of his own coordinator skills from Linda Miller. He also traveled all around Canada to other powwows, to discuss and share knowledge with other coordinators. “It was a roller coaster ride,” D Labillois says, “but the strong work of coordinator and committee pulled it off.”

This powwow is proof of the strong interconnected Indigenous community. Chief and council are important sponsors, but there are always many others who contribute to a powwow as well. The shaded bleachers for elders were constructed by Keifer Jerome and donated to the powwow.  

The powwow lasts approximately three days, with people sometimes showing up and camping nearby a couple days early or lingering a couple days later. There are no entry fees or parking fees. There are different kinds of events from sun-up until after dark. With intertribal dance sessions, contests, vendors, and corny emcee jokes, there is always entertainment to be found. The committee sold tickets all weekend for a draw and the prizes – donated from local businesses, Home Hardware, Christine Dior at Arco Lumber –  were quite lavish. First prize was a homemade wooden chair with engravings, a wooden cooler, and other smaller items. A purse, earrings, a watch, a bracelet, and even a $200 gift card for Home Hardware were among the other prizes. On Friday, they had an ‘electric powwow’, coordinated primarily by Raven Labillois. That evening the powwow incorporated many glow in the dark themed dances, including a lovely performance by Theland with glowing hoops. 

The vendors make up a large part of powwows, as this is a time for Indigenous people to sell their crafts and for everyone to participate in their physical culture. Regalia, jewelry, and beadwork were all available for purchase, as well as Indigenous cuisine, tools for smudging, traditionally-made drums, and so much more. At Ugpi’ganjig there were approximately 20 vendors throughout the weekend. In order to participate, vendors must show proof of status to the committee and pay a small fee of $50 for their spot. 

Seven vendors sold different treats and foods. It would not be a powwow if someone was not selling Indian tacos, and I think it is safe to say that Harry and Sandra served the best Indian Tacos over the weekend at their stall. Indian tacos are an Indigenous delicacy of chili or taco toppings on an Indian fry-bread. Harry and Sandra are both from Elsipogtog and they had excited customers eagerly waiting for their stall to open. There was a line out their door as soon as they raised it and it remained until their tacos sold out. Frightfully, I almost did not get one of their amazing Indian Tacos. Their fry-bread was perfect. While waiting in line I overheard other patrons asking someone else in line why they did not go to the other stall that was selling Indian Tacos, with the simple response being “nothing compares to this one.” I had the privilege of sitting with Harry and Sandra for a few minutes. Harry told me about the cooking classes he took as a youth. He has been making Indian tacos for 40 years now, and still enjoying it every time. “It’s not about the money,” Harry says, “I love what I am doing!”

Another charismatic vendor, Dwayne Ward from Metapenagiag, has been making and selling clothing since 2013. He travels around to many powwows selling Vault Clothing. He expressed the importance of vendor roles at powwows. “Indigenous vendors are one of the backbones of powwows and I think there should be more Indigenous vendors in them!” he said, after explaining to me that not all powwows ask for proof of status, which can cause complications for Indigenous vendors. 

Not all stalls are vendors, as powwows are perfect events to set up information booths as well. Booths for North Shore Micmac District Council (NSMDC) and Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) are often found at powwows. 

About 2,000 people were expected over the powwow weekend, and they did not disappoint. The flow of people coming and going did not slow all weekend. “I think everyone in the world should experience a powwow at least once in their lifetime,” said D Labillois. So, when will you go to your first powwow? 

Kirsten Leclaire-Mazerolle, from Natoaganeg First Nation, is a researcher and writer working out of the Human Environments Workshop (HEW) funded by RAVEN.