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

First Nations Traditional Medicines - Tobacco

Tobacco - When a person gives Tobacco it is a form of seeking Knowledge, it is a form of seeking advice , it is a traditional way of asking for something that would benefit a person's livelihood. It is proper to present Tobacco to an Elder when you seek advice or a prayer but it is customary that when you go to visit an Elder to take a gift of Tobacco. When times are tough and Tobacco is hard to get than one cigarette will do. The purpose is that when the Tobacco is used during a ceremony, and when it is lit the smoke will carry prayers to the Creator and His Helpers. In all of North America Aboriginal People have a collective understanding about the sacredness of Tobacco.

Tobacco is usually bought in pouches or as cigarettes.

The Tipi Circle

First Nations People would generally live in small family groups for most of the year, but during the spring, summer and fall there were plenty of opportunities for several groups to gather and camp in one area. Often the village would consist of a circle of Tipis, and in the old days there was always a single standing tipi in the middle of the circle. The Central Tipi was comparatively larger than the rest, this was the gathering place, the theatre, the story telling place, the classroom, and this was also a guest house. The Gathering Place Tipi would be well maintained by all members of the village, usually the Elderly Men and Elderly Women would make sure that there was enough wood to keep the fires going and there was plenty of robes and blankets to sit on and for guests to use. The tipi was well cleaned and it was everyones responsibility to make sure that this was a place designed to keep everyone comfortable and safe. When the time came for the camp to move to a different location the Gathering Place Tipi would be looked after so that it was the last one to be taken down from the old camp and it would be the first one to be put up in the new location.
The Tipis are always put up in a circle during a camp for protection: much like the Buffalo, Antelope and animals that live in groups, when there is a predator the buffalo would herd the calves into the center and turn and face out to fight.
It is a fool who made his camp outside of this circle.

Childrens Toys in First Nations Culture

In First Nations Culture , children are held in high regard and are known to be pure and have a special place on Mother Earth, children are sacred and are respected as such. The Old People have always said that " the children are only on loan from the Creator and if we do not look after them properly and teach them right the Creator will take them away from you...".

Childrens love to play with toys and in First Nations Culture, toys were made in exact replica of the things that adults would use with intricate Craftsmanship and was often fully functional except smaller and easier to handle. The Toys made also served a purpose as a teaching tool for respecting property and how to share with others. The toys would also be a tool to teach children how to use tools properly, for example a toy cradle board would show how a baby fitted properly in the safety seat. (the toys than were teaching methods on survival) .

Boys and girls were allowed to play with each others toys untill they were told that they were too old perhaps at about age 10, at this time teachings of the Adult world would take over from the carefree days of childhood.

My Kohkum and her pow wow dress

Just this past Christmas, my niece's two children got into an accident, they are only 4 and 5 years old, my grandson Marcus had a surgery to repair some damage to his stomach and my granddaughter, Michelle walked away without a scratch. This was a very scary time for me as well as for the parents, my grandchildren who I refer to as My Moshum and My Kohkum are doing fine now. I am currently making my Kohkum a Powwow outfit and hopefully she will learn about the Traditions of the First Nations in that way... even though I try to teach them both a lot of the old ways it is always nice to learn with others. The reason that I am making my Kohkum an outfit is to give thanks to the Creator to let my Moshum and my Kohkum live healthy lives cause it could have been alot worse.. My Parents always say that "while you are alive, you should be proud of your body and make it beautiful by wearing beautiful clothing, make your body dance while you are healthy - in this way you are giving thanks to the Creator for giving you life - Miyo - Pimatisowin". My Kohkum is so excited about her new dress but my Moshum is already asking when he will be getting his. By the way there is protocol to introducing the children to the powwow, my Parents gave away a Horse and lots of gifts and money at a Powwow in Onion Lake when My niece Charmaine was a Princess for Mosquito and Red Pheasant reserves.