[ad_1]
Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation waited for years for its first outdoor powwow and last Friday it finally happened.
Flags in the community about 60 kilometres northeast of Regina were raised slowly and a drum group sang to welcome the celebration.
“Our community loves it, everyone loves it and we’re going to celebrate,” said Myke Agecoutay, the chief operating officer for Muscowpetung Business Developments.
Agecoutay said the band decided to build a powwow arbour in 2021. He said the search for the perfect location meant the project took longer than expected.
Brad Pickard, part of the Oxbow Architecture team, worked with the community on the design. Pickard said they created something that embraced the circle shape, which has cultural significance.
He previously worked with Kinistin Saulteaux Nation on a powwow arbour over 10 years ago, but Muscowpetung’s is the biggest he’s worked on. The design was 1,275 square metres, holding up to 2,500 spectators and 1,000 dancers.
The structural elements include Douglas fir, spruce from Saskatchewan and nail-laminated timber panels for the roof.
He said he’d like to use locally-sourced spruce and pine in future projects as well.
Pickard said not having access to certain materials locally also affected the project schedule but he said seeing the tripods go up and witnessing the visual symbols of the cultural values that were built into the structure was remarkable.
“I’m excited to see this project be handed over finally to the community and to see what life they breathe into it,” said Pickard.
The project was funded through a Capital Funding Request under the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal order on First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle. The First Nation also provided additional funds due to the high costs of timber and lumber.
“Solar panels are going to go on the roof eventually, to provide power to half of our community and also there will be water systems on the roof that will collect water for the community garden,” said Agecoutay.
The powwow committee, which consisted of over a dozen people, had been working since December to fundraise for the big day.
Committee member Donna Okeeweehow said she wants her neighbours and visitors to make good memories and to enjoy dancing under the new arbour.
Okeeweehow said dignitaries and chiefs from other communities came to open up the first grand entry under the new arbour.
“It’s exciting to see the first grand entry to come in,” said Okeeweehow.
“It’s pretty emotional, too, because I’m a very emotional person. So I know I’m going to cry.”
She said they were hoping to see 500 to 700 dancers as they had many specials planned.
Okeeweehow said they had a community feast under the arbour before the first powwow to celebrate.
As a traditional dancer, community member Tim Rosebluff is happy with the way it’s designed, as concrete can be hard on the feet, legs and back when dancing.
Rosebluff also likes the design of the roof which allows air to flow, but still offers enough shelter from the sun or rain.
“We are out here to dance and tell our stories and be happy. People will leave with a good way, good sense of mind and health,” said Rosebluff.
[ad_2]
Source link
