N’Swakamok powwow draws hundreds on Indigenous Peoples Day

‘You can feel the strength of our culture today, the strength of our community” said MC Paul Owl at the now annual event, hosted by N’Swakamok Friendship Centre

Daynara Cyr dances fancy shawl at the N'Swakamok Indigenous Peoples Day powwow. Jenny Lamothe

In celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, June 21, the N’Swakamok Friendship Centre powwow beckoned the community to the shores of Ramsey Lake, enticing them with the sounds of the drum and the scent of frybread wafting through the air.

210624_jl_heatley_jodouin — *Youth dancer Heatley Jodouin (in blue and white) dances at the N'Swakamok Indigenous Peoples Day powwow. . Jenny Lamothe*

The N’Swakamok Friendship Centre focuses their programming on the more than 80 per cent of Indigenous people who are living in urban areas like Sudbury, and the now annual powwow is held for those who may not be able to make it home to their nation’s events, or for those who do not belong to a nation.

210624_jl_raina_chum_kerri_iserhoff — *Kerri Iserhoff, 8, and Raina Chum, both of Moose Cree First Nation, pose at the the N'Swakamok Indigenous Peoples Day powwow. Chum was the head youth women's dancer. Jenny Lamothe*

Everyone is welcome, however, and were invited to dance at the intertribal dance, held after the grand entrance which featured dignitaries and local politicians, including Sudbury MPP Jamie West and Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefevbre, who were also invited to dance in ribbon skirts and fancy shawls, spinning in the round and laughing along the way.

210624_jl_west_lefevbre_dance — *Sudbury MPP Jamie West (front left) and Greater Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefevbre hit the round as the crowd clapped for their fancy shawl and ribbon skirt dances. . Jenny Lamothe*

210624_jl_lefevbre_powwow_dance — *Mayor Paul Lefevbre hit the round with a ribbon skirt and fancy shawl at the N'Swakamok Indigenous Peoples day powwow. Jenny Lamothe*

Paul Owl, master of ceremony for the powwow, made a few cheeky comments towards the men, including when he received a copy of Lefevbre’s speech in advance of the mayor’s words to the crowd, saying “I’ll sell them to him in exchange for land back,” to great applause.

210624_jl_paul_owl — *MC Paul Owl asks the crowd to pick the best dancer after a spot dance at the N'Swakamok Indigenous Peoples Day powwow. . Jenny Lamothe*

The hundreds of attendees were also able to enjoy snacks from Anawahs Kweok and other craft vendors, as well as a chance to step into a misting booth to keep cool on the humid day. Drum groups Black Bull Moose, Island Boys and Buckshot kept rhythm for the dancers.