SD73 hosted its first-ever district Powwow for Grade 4 and 5 students on Wednesday (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

DISTRICT POWWOW

SD73 students experience Indigenous culture during first annual district powwow

May 25, 2022 | 3:52 PM

KAMLOOPS — The grand entry is the traditional beginning of a powwow, as everyone enters the arbour dancing to the beat of the drum.

On Wednesday (May 25), hundreds of Grade 4 and 5 students got the opportunity to participate in one.

“It’s a pretty fun experience,” said Pinantan Elementary student Alice Evans. “I learned a lot about the different dances.”

The students soaked up a lot of Indigenous culture at the first annual district powwow.

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“The reality is most of our students have been on a reservation and never experienced a powwow,” said SD73 District Principal for Aboriginal Education Mike Bowden. “The other reality is the [First Nations] communities really wanted to share that knowledge and culture with the students.”

Giving the students a firsthand introduction to a powwow and Indigenous culture is all part of the reconciliation process they hope will be passed on.

“In the past, it’s been the First Nations community and us,” said Bowden. “And part of reconciliation is coming together and walking alongside each other.”

Pinantan Elementary student Lumina Gerwig added, “I think it’s really important that people learn because a lot of people don’t know anything, and don’t even know about the residential schools. We get taught it in school, but I think it’s very important we do this every single year.”‘

The powwow was two years in the making, delayed after the onset of COVID-19. The district now hopes to make it an annual event.

As the drummers played the Welcome Song and Eagle Song, the students danced, which brought smiles to everyone.

“Every time you dance here, you might feel a little bit silly,” said Ted Gottfriedson Jr. from Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. “You may not want to, but every step you dance and every song they sing for you takes some power away from that [former residential school] building and the harm that it did for our people, so dance proudly. Have fun.”