On the powwow trail: a guide to upcoming cultural events across New Brunswick

Powwows take place in Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqey communities every summer. These all-ages events showcase Indigenous culture, which feature drums, dancing, regalia, crafts and food vendors. 

Grand Entry, which signals the beginning of the powwow, usually takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday.

Seven powwows have already taken place across New Brunswick this summer, but there are still seven more to come. The NB Media Co-op reached out to the organizers to learn about what they have planned.  

Everyone is welcome, but drugs and alcohol aren’t allowed. Listen for instructions from emcees, including photo or video protocol – when in doubt, ask permission. More information is available here. 

Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar)
Aug. 14–16
Aboriginal Heritage Garden, end of Route 280/Cove Road, Eel River Cove

Grand entry will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday. A drum group from Alberta is expected to come down, along with vendors from all over, said organizing committee member D. LaBillois. The number of attendees keeps growing, so organizers have prepared for things to go smoothly, LaBillois said. You can find more details about the schedule on Facebook.  

Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church)
Aug. 20–23
End of Diggle Point Road, at the Esgenoôpetitj Powwow Grounds

Vendors will include all kinds of food trucks and crafts such as baskets and beadworks. There will be information booths, along with booths for police and first aid. The expected guest range is approximately 2,000–3,000 people, according to Patty Joe, a powwow committee member.

The four-day event begins Aug. 20 with the lighting of the Sacred Fire. Events on Aug. 21 will include a youth social with face painting, games and dancing. On Aug. 22 and 23, there will be free crafts: make and paint your own tote bag! There will also be a chance to learn about traditional medicine on Aug. 22, but spots will be limited. 

Elsipogtog (Big Cove)
Sept. 3–6
Elsipogtog Powwow Grounds, at 1072 Route 510, Lower Main River

The powwow begins Thursday with the lighting of the Sacred Fire, and there will be Sunrise Pipe Ceremonies every other day, according to powwow committee member Angeline Purcell. It’s the 40th anniversary of the Elsipogtog powwow, and special activities will include a “children’s social, glow dance, drone show, and community food competitions, as well as an Eagle Feather Band reunion, as a celebration of 40 years of culture, community and bringing people together,” she said.

Many differing types of vendors are expected, she said, including beadwork, jewelry, clothing, handmade crafts and artwork, as well as food. There will be beautiful regalia, powerful drumming, singing and dancing, and an emcee  will help guide anyone who has never attended a powwow, she added. 

“You don’t have to be Indigenous to attend,” she said. “Everyone is welcome to come respectfully, bring their families and experience our culture and community.”

She added that emcees will guide visitors through any protocols they should know. The children’s social will take place on Sept. 4 at 5 p.m., followed by the glow dance at 8 p.m. and the drone show at 10 p.m. The main powwow will take place Sept. 4–5, with dancing, drumming, and ceremonies. For example,  a sweat lodge ceremony will take place on the evening of Sept. 4. 

Bilijk (Kingsclear)
September 11–13
Bilijk Powwow Grounds, end of Church Street, Bilijk  

Powwow committee member Shayna Boudreau provided some additional directions: down Church Street and past the tree, you will see a big hill. “Just continue on and follow the road and you’ll see the powwow grounds,” Boudreau said.

About 35 vendors are signed up, ranging from barbeque to bead work.More than 500 guests are expected. The dancers will compete, with the  top three winning prizes. There will also be an electric powwow at the end, with glowsticks for the kids, music, and more.

Grand Entry for Sept. 12 is at 1 p.m. It will take place at noon on Sept. 13. A Friday night social will also take place on Sept. 11.

Tjipogtotjg (Buctouche)
Sept. 11–13
Buctouche Powwow Grounds, 183 Reserve Road, Bouctouche

A youth social will take place on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., along with merchandise bingo with a $1,000 jackpot, said powwow committee leader Shelley Simon-LeBlanc.

Come back on Sept. 12 and 13 for the traditional powwow. There will be beautiful regalia, dancing, drumming, singing, and a view of the Buctouch River. Vendors will be selling food ranging from Indian tacos to burgers and even snowcones, as well as crafts such as beaded earrings, lanyards, clothing and more. With good weather guests may range up to a thousand, Simon-LeBlanc said.

Fort Folly (Amlamgog) Youth Traditional Powwow
Sept. 25–26
Dorchester Consolidated School, 18 Harrop Avenue, Dorchester

Events will kick off with a social night at the Dorchester Veteran’s Community Hall (4955 Main St.). Visitors can expect a community gift card bingo and a kids’ glow party, with barbecue by donation, from 5 to 8 p.m. according to powwow committee member Nicole Porter.

The powwow itself will take place at the Dorchester School on Sept. 26, with Grand Entry from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.. There will be Ko’jua dance competition, candy dance, potato dance, and lots of spot dances with the intertribals. 

A call-out for vendors is still open: anyone interested in offering craft, info, or food services can fill out this form. Attendance last year surpassed  500 people, and organizers are hoping for more this year.

Menahqesk (Saint John)
Date to be determined
TD Station, 99 Station Street, Saint John

No details were available by publication time. This story will be updated when more information is released. 

Lance Francis is a student at St. Thomas University and member of Elsipogtog First Nation. This report was produced as part of media production workshops hosted by the NB Media Co-op.