Pow Wow Trail Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre
Presents
Pow Wow Trail
2009

June 2009

June 19 - 21
Sakimay First Nations Contest Pow wow ……..Grenfell, SK…………….306 – 697 – 2831

June 19 – 21
Moosomin First Nations Pow wow ………N of North Battleford, Sk……306 – 386 – 2206

June 20
National Aboriginal Day Celebration…Friendship Pk, Saskatoon, SK…306 – 244 - 0174

June 21
Paspiwin 4th Annual Traditional Pow wow…..P.A. National Park………..306 - ­­663 – 4508

June 23 – 25
Sakicawasihk Contest Pow wow………N Battleford Civic Centre………306 – 446 – 3833


July 2009
July 3 – 4
Muskeg Lake Cree Nation Pow wow…Muskeg Lake First Nation, SK….306 – 466 - 7175

July 10 – 12
Kahkewistahaw Pow wow………Kahkewistahaw First Nation, SK……...306 – 696 - 3291

July 17 – 19
Onion Lake Contest Pow wow………Onion Lake First Nation, SK……...306 – 344 – 7225

July 18 – 19
Mistawasis Traditional Pow wow ………Near Leask, SK …………………306 – 466 – 4800

July 24 – 26
Thunderchild Pow wow ……………Thunderchild First Nation, SK……...306 – 845 – 4300

July 24 – 26
Carry the Kettle Pow wow ……….Sintaluta, SK……………………………..306 – 727 – 2135

July 23 – 28
Back to Batoche –Metis Days…………East of Rosthern, SK…………….306 – 343 – 8285

July 31 – August 2
Ocean Man First Nation Pow wow…….Near Stoughton, SK……………..306 – 457 – 2679


July 31 – August 2
Touchwood Agency T.C. Pow wow…Kawakatoose First Nation, SK…..306 – 835 - 2125

August

August 6 – 9
John Arcand’s 12th Annual Fiddle Festival…..W of Saskatoon, SK…….306 – 382 – 0111

August 7 – 9
Standing Buffalo Pow wow ………….Fort Qu Appelle, SK………………..306 – 332 – 4685

August 11 – 13
Cowessess Traditional Pow wow…….Cowessess First Nation………….306 – 696 – 2520

August 21 – 23
George Gordon First Nation Pow wow…..S of Punnichy, SK…………….306 – 835 – 2232








* these dates could change at any time, please call phone numbers provided before you depart for the Pow Wow
John Spyglass

Birch Bark and First Nations

Birch Trees ( Betula papyrifera) are found throughout the North American Boreal Forest, highly prized by the First Nations people, the uses of the Birch Bark can be traced back to the beginning of time when the Thunderbirds marked the characteristic stripes and enriched exceptional properties. In fact many Indigenous cultures around the world regard the Birch Tree as a sacred plant that was blessed with qualities for the benefit of human kind. There are legends, ceremonies and offerings during the harvesting of the bark, roots , leaves, wood and the fungus that grows on the birch tree.

The use of the bark spanned the lifetime of an individual , the bark served as a Cradleboard cover when the child was born , and when the person passed on it became a wrapping for the deceased.

The Birchbark can be peeled to any thickness , stored for long periods of time, and regenerated for future use, it is light weight , portable, durable and is very strong, this resulted in its extensive use.

The Northern Cree have used the Birchbark for Lodge coverings, containers for food and medicine and other personal items, hunting gear, fishing gear, for tinder, torches and for artwork, beadwork and quillwork.

The bark also served for documentation purposes as maps and to transmit sacred rites, songs and teachings passed down from generation after generation since time immemorial.

Medicinal teas and ointments were brewed from the trees bark, leaves and twigs, the wood was used to make utensils.

Birchbark Canoes are ideal vehicles for people who depended upon hunting, gathering, and fishing for their survival, to travel the vast waterways this vehicle was perfect for it was easily manuevorable and lightweight.

Traditionally the skills and knowledge required for canoe makers would take years of observation and experience, besides knowing the technical skills needed the Canoemaker had an intimate understanding of the Birchbark and other materials gathered from Mother Earth - such as the various wood, resins, and roots . The Traditions required ceremony and thanksgiving , songs and stories about the Birchbark would be taught from one generation to the next.

The Gathering of materials, the Ceremonies, songs and stories required Family support, it was labour-intensive including the preparations for the Gathering all structured around the strong cultural relationships with Kinship and respect for the land. The Birchbark was gathered during the spring and late summe as the bark was more pliable and easily removed.

There are various uses for the Birchbark and its roots, First Nations believe that the Birch Tree provides strength, safety and security; containers, baskets and other artforms made from Birchbark are highly prized because they make the house safe and secure.

The Dream Catcher

In traditional worldview of the Saulteaux people of the North American Plains believe that the night is full of both positive and negative dreams.

The customary tradition is when a Dream Catcher is hung above or near the place where you sleep, it moves freely in the night and catches the dreams as they drift by.

The good dreams, knowing their way, flow and pass through the opening in the center of the Dream Catcher webbing, meanwhile the bad dreams, not knowing the way, are caught in the webbing and are destroyed at the first light of the morning sun.

Although the Saulteaux people are credited for the origins of the Dream Catcher, many other Indigenous cultures have adopted Dream Catcher Legends as part of their Oral History.

Though the intricate designs and Oral legends differ slightly, the underlying meaning and symbolism is universal and is understood across Indigenous cultures and language barriers.