Eeyou Istchee Powwow Roundup
Rain fails to dampen Niimuuhiikan celebration
Big Rock’s annual powwow took place August 20-21 with Luke MacLeod bringing on Justice Debassige as the new coordinator for Mistissini’s fourth annual celebration.
Inclement weather forced the powwow to move indoors to the Neosweskau Sports Complex but MacLeod said weather conditions didn’t dampen the spirit of an event that saw the hard work and planning of its organizing committee pay off with good community participation, touching special presentations and lots of youth involvement.
“All of the [powwow] committee deserves recognition,” said MacLeod. “We’re all volunteers so we give up personal time to make the event happen. So does the whole community – the band council, director general’s office and the deputy chief, our Elders and the people who come every year.
“There are always a lot of people who return either as performers, drummers or dancers. We’d like to thank them too. The locals who help make regalia or teach people to dance and drum, they organize workshops and there were up to 15 younger children who danced for this first time this year.”
Some of the highlights of the 2016 Mistissini Powwow were the presentation of eagle feathers by Jason Coonishish in celebration of the life of his late son Chiiwetin and special recognition for Mary Coon, an Elder originally from Mistissini who now lives in Wemotaci.
Other activities included a jingle dance special and cash prizes for different dance competitions.
MacLeod took to the Mistissini Powwow Group on Facebook to thank the organizing committee, also mentioning community Elders Thomas Coon, Mary MacLeod, Francis Voyageur and Ken Nicholls.
“I handed the reins over to Justice Debassige this year and he did a really good job helping organize the powwow,” MacLeod said. “Next year will be our fifth one so it will be special.
“Niimuuhiikan, blessing of our Creator, we will meet at the same time again.”
Wemindji’s Inaugural Powwow
by Xina Cowan
I’ve been to a fair number of powwows over the years, and they’ve all left me feeling really, really happy (and full). Whether they’ve had rain or shine, two drums or 12, they’ve all radiated the good energy of everyone who worked hard to make them happen.
This August 13-14, I travelled to Wemindji to attend its very first traditional powwow. It was the smallest one I’d been to, but it left me with a sense of joy and hope I’d never felt before. I was witnessing an enormous “first” for the community and for so many other James Bay Cree as well. As I stood on the grounds – a large piece of grassy land, just below the school along the riverside – I felt for the first time, “I’m witnessing a historic change.”
This powwow was especially dear to my heart because Wemindji was my temporary home a few years back. I worked as a coordinator with the high school students, and discovered a whole new world I couldn’t have ever dreamed up on my own. When I moved back to Montreal, I knew that my first visit back to the community warranted a really special occasion. So when I saw talk about the powwow on Facebook, it was an automatic bingo.
We all know that a powwow is serious business. Like any weekend-long, outdoor event, it requires blood, sweat and tears that typically start flowing months in advance. But Wemindji’s powwow? Nuh uh, no sir. The beautiful, organized and heartfelt execution I saw had only been a lightbulb two months prior. I’m still shaking my head in disbelief and total admiration. Seriously, how is that humanly possible?
On the other hand, I know from living in Wemindji that this sort of miraculous teamwork is totally possible. It’s brutally hard work, don’t get me wrong, but it can happen with the right ingredients. Wemindji’s powwow came to life thanks to a core group of three community members, including April Dawn-Georgekish, Cassandra Danyluk and Earl Danyluk. Two gals and a dude, all with the same vision. A vision so purposeful and strong that it allowed them to do the near impossible – and do it well. This was clear as day, and reminded me that we can make miracles happen when intention is on our side.
Wemindji’s powwow had been a long time in the making, and this summer was finally its time. Not so coincidentally, it was also the time for two if its community members to begin dancing. Lindsay Visitor danced at the powwow for the first time, and Marissa Georgekish danced in it for a second time after being initiated at Chisasibi’s powwow. Clearly, it was a monumental experience for these two women.
“I had wanted to dance since I was a kid,” Marissa told me. “I’d never heard of a powwow, but something was always there. Later, when I went to the Manawaki powwow, I met an Elder who looked at me and said, ‘You look like a dancer.’”
For Marissa, who’s always loved acting on stage, Jingle Dress dancing in her home community of Wemindji meant so much more than any of her other performances. “I felt really at home. I wasn’t up there thinking ‘Oh, I’m going to screw up.” I thought, ‘Yes I’m here, and this is what I’m supposed to be doing.’”
Her family and friends thought so too.
“They were all really proud and supportive, and my uncles actually helped me to get my regalia.”
As I stood and watched Marissa dancing in the sunlight, I knew that she wasn’t the only one feeling the energy of her steps or her dress. All around me, I heard whispers of young girls saying to their mothers and aunties, “I want to do that someday too.”
And that, my friends, is what real change looks like.
Chisasibi observes relocation anniversary
August 18 marked the 35th anniversary of Fort George’s re-location to Chisasibi and a celebration of the time and effort put in to re-building and creating a new community infrastructure. This event took place just two weeks after the Chisasibi powwow August 5-7.
The powwow featured locals Taauskimikuapaau (Heart of the Land) and Chisasibi Singers, the Waseshkun Singers from Waswanipi and Northern Medicine from Eastmain plus out-of-town dancers Chief Joel Babin and Tanya Babin from Wagoshig, Ontario, as well as Mona Tolley and Gabriel Whiteduck from Kitigan Zibi.
Greg Sutherland and Gabriel Herodier were Chisasibi’s emcees and once again bad weather meant the event had to be hosted indoors at the local arena, with a sacred fire burning near the band office. For its anniversary, Chisasibi organized activities for people of all ages.
“We had a barbecue, t-bone steaks, we had activities for toddlers, youth and adults,” said Nellie Bobbish who helped organize both events and works with community mental health and wellness organization Brighter Futures. “There were bouncy castles, outdoor and indoor concerts with Claude McKenzie, Florent Vollant and Kashkun and we finished everything off with fireworks. The Elder’s Council also helped organize other activities during the week, like an obstacle course available to anyone who wanted to participate.”
Bobbish noted that the powwow and anniversary were a team effort with many individuals and organizations, including the Chisasibi Band Council, legislative department, Youth Council, Youth Development Department, Minor Sports Associations, Sports and Recreation Association, the Headstart Program and Brighter Futures.
“There was actually a whole bunch of us,” she said. “Rhonda Spencer did all of the organizing and we worked together to make all of the events happen.”
Oujé and Waswanipi forced to cancel, Eastmain still a go
Oujé-Bougoumou was forced to cancel its 2016 powwow and focus on forming a new organizing committee for 2017 that will be led by Olivia C. Salt under the guidance of former coordinator Redfern Mianscum.
“After six years I feel it is time for me to seek new ventures,” said Mianscum in a statement on Facebook. “We apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused, but the celebration of life through the spirit of the drum will return. The songs will continue to echo through generations to come and we will continue to walk in beauty with the spirit of our ancestors. Aho!”
For those who didn’t get the chance to enjoy a powwow experience in Eeyou Istchee this year, the Cree Nation of Eastmain is hosting celebrations this weekend.
Eastmain hosts its “Honouring our Land” celebration September 16-17 complete with a goose dance and drum social. The High Ridge Singers from Moose Factory will be host drums and Kirby Mianscum from North Bay, Ontario, will emcee with Gabriel Herodier of Chisasibi.
Ron Shisheesh and Paula Menarick, also from Chisasibi, represent the head male and female dancers, with Clarence Trapper serving as head veteran. Invited drums and special guests include White Tail Cree, Waseshkun and Chisasibi Singers, Northern Medicine, Colour Guards and the Subdury Dance Troupe. For more information, contact Clayton Tomatuk at 819-977-2262 ext. 222.