by Karina Hunter 

4yr old jingle dress dancer, Emeraude Charron, laughs while enjoying 'Elephant Ear' a treat of fried bannock topped with cinnamon, white sugar & brown sugar.

Pic Mobert First Nation hosted their 24^th Annual Powwow this weekend on the shores of the White River. Native and Non-native participants and spectators braved wet cold weather to enjoy traditional drumming, singing, dance, foods and crafts from Friday through Sunday evening. Under the Pine was scheduled as Host drum for the weekend though singer/drummer Eugeen Nabigon of Heron Bay lead much of the drumming accompanied by local and visiting drummers/signers. Spiritual advisor for the Powwow was Bill Wissian; lead dancers were Mike Esqueaja and Maureen Desmoulin.

Lead dancer, Mike Esqueaja, dances during one of the many inter-tribal rounds.

Warm-ups had originally been scheduled for Friday evening, unfortunately due in part to inclement weather conditions, these were cancelled. This certainly did not affect the performance of the dancers nor the musicians as Saturday and Sunday, Grand Entries were held as scheduled while rain poured down on the Powwow circle soaking dancers and their regalia as they followed in the colour guard carrying American, Warrior and Canadian flags. Regalia are the special clothes and adornments worn by Powwows participants. Full of colour and sound these include jingle or fancy dance dresses for the women, headdresses and bustles easily weighing in excess of 30 pounds, even when dry, for the men and of course plenty of colour, bells, and feathers which are of great importance in the native culture, children too wear regalia often passed down in a family from generation to generation.

12 yr old Benjamin Bedwash of Longlac, ON performs the Hoop Dance.

Master of Ceremonies, Jimmy Mishquart kept all in attendance entertained and informed throughout the weekend; his commentary including a great mix of history, facts and fun. Mishquart’s booming voice could be heard clear across the field to the campgrounds as he called dancers, singers and drummers together for registrations, Grand Entries, and exhibition dances elaborating with information on the traditions of each such as when or where a specific dance or song had originated or how they were adapted over the years. Mishquart also had much success encouraging observers to join in those dances for which it was appropriate.  Dances in which everyone could participate varied from the very somber and pensive round during Grand Entry in honour of Native and Non-Native veterans which is danced to ‘Soldier Boy’ to more festive, upbeat rounds such as the “49’er” which had nearly 100 dancers trying to keep up following a lead couple through steps reminiscent of a square dance that ends with everyone holding hands in a large circle around the drummer’s shelter.

A group of nearly 100 participants circle around each other hand in hand as the dance the "49'er".

A very special exhibition dance was performed by 12 year old Benjamin Bedwash of Longlac, Ontario. This was just Bedwash’s third public performance of the Hoop dance though his confidence and skill looked very professional and gave no hint to his inexperience. I asked young Bedwash of the level of difficulty of the dance in which he weaves his limbs and body through hoops while continuously dancing, never missing a beat and he told me that “It doesn’t get any easier, even with practice because every time the drummers play longer and I try to add hoops and steps” his beautiful bright smile making clear the enjoyment his derived from performing. The last exhibition dance of Sunday afternoon was the “Duck and Dive” a very dramatic dance which originated from the Nez Perce War of 1877 was performed by senior male dancers and had spectators enthralled.  Jimmy Mishquart, MC, explaining that the strong drum beats leading the dancers to quickly duck down were representative of would-be rifle shots.

Participants and spectators came from across Ontario and as far as the United
States to enjoy this wonderful family weekend. To see more photos of Pic Mobert First Nation’s 24^th Annual Powwow, visit www.karinahunter.com /?p=4954 .  Hope to see you at next year’s Powwow!

Submitted to The Echo o8.03.09 and the Chronicle Journal 08.04.09

I am working on a third version to submit to Our Canada Magazine and will post that when completed as well, visit often to stay up to date on all the happenings of Northern Ontario!

**I have a ton of photos from the Powwow and will work at getting them all posted in the next 2 days so check back often!

Spectators watch in awe as male dancers perform the "Duck and Dive"