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Hamilton Spectator
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
‘It's so, so powerful': 44th annual Kamloopa Powwow in photos
An estimated 20,000 people attended Kamloopa Powwow last weekend. Hosted at the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc Arbour, this year the powwow marked its 44th year and included a performance from a Māori group from Aotearoa (New Zealand) that sang and danced the Kapa Haka, a group dance with chanting that's referred to as a ' living art form ' of Māori culture. Stuart Patrick Jr., a Nuu-chah-nulth dancer, travelled to perform during the weekend at the powwow. 'We dance for the people,' he says. 'We danced for those who couldn't be there, and then I danced for everybody that was there, in prayers and out of my heart.' For Patrick, as a dancer being part of the powwow is a big opportunity to share his culture with other Indigenous Peoples. 'I went there to get grounded and dance to the heartbeat of the drum,' he says. Patrick was part of the senior men's category, which represents men as the community's protectors. 'We are the protectors of our family, of our nations. We will go to battle. We are the providers,' he says. 'The style that I dance, all the moves that you see, that's our celebration of our battles and wars that we've come across. 'We're telling a story of how we've overcome those battles and why we are here today.' He learned this dancing style from his West Coast culture near Ucluelet. Yasakw (Shelly) Samuels, of Haida and Kwakwaka'wakw ancestry, attended Kamloopa as a vendor. Along with her fiancée, Robert Robinson of Nisga'a Nation, the couple travelled from Haida Gwaii to attend this year's powwow. Samuels, whose Kwakwaka'wakw name is Yasakw, has a small Indigenous business called Yasakw Designs , which sells her jewelry and other handcrafted items made using traditional materials like copper and cedar. This was the second year she and her family attended the powwow. 'It just gave me nostalgia, seeing everyone in their regalia. It's so, so powerful,' Samuels says. 'We're not that far away from the Kamloops Indian Residential school, a place that was supposed to kill the Indian. 'But now here we are, as Indigenous people, practicing our culture right beside [it], it's kind of like taking our power back.' For Samuels, besides it being a powerful experience, the powwow has been important to share with her family and young children. 'I love taking my kids there, it's amazing,' she explains. 'The best part of my job is that my kids get to experience all the culture, that's the most important thing for me.' On Friday night at Kamloopa Powwow, eight-year-old Sulyálesta Grizzlypaws stepped into the arbour wearing elk tooth regalia. 'Her long braids were wrapped in otter fur, adorned with soft pink conch shells that shimmered under the sunlights,' Sulyálesta's mother Laura Grizzlypaws told The Wren via email. 'She wore an elk tooth buckskin dress and moccasins with her basket hat that speak to the beauty and strength of her St'át'imc and Warm Springs heritage. But her dance carried more than beauty — it carried history, love, and resilience. 'Just beyond the arbour stand the walls of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, a place that holds painful memories for her grandmother and countless others who were forced through its doors, stripped of language and culture in an effort to erase Indigenous identity. 'Despite those shadows, Sulyálesta dances with powerful purpose. Each step she takes is an act of honour and resistance, a living testament that the spirit and traditions meant to be extinguished have not only survived but shine brightly through her. 'Her regalia and flowing hair are not mere adornments; they are shields of cultural pride, connecting her to the teachings, ceremonies, and ancestral ways that residential schools tried to destroy.' Sulyálesta is the daughter of Laura Grizzlypaws, Indigenous educational developer, author and a Bear Dancer of the St'át'imc, and Levi Blackwolf of Warm Springs. She belongs to a strong lineage of Chiefs and the Bear Clan community and travels internationally with her mother as a Grizzly Bear Dancer, 'sharing the rich stories, songs, and dances of their people with audiences across the world, from Europe to the Yukon, Alaska, Mexico, California, Orlando, the Dakotas, and the eastern Canadian provinces.' 'Sulyálesta has carried her culture onto global stages since she was just a baby,' Laura continues. 'And here she enters into the arbour at Kamloopa Powwow, surrounded by the echoes of drums and the voices of her people. 'Sulyálesta dances not just for herself, but for her ancestors, her family, and the generations still to come. In her movements, we see proof that Indigenous culture remains alive, vibrant, and unstoppable.' Kamloops' 4 Generations Creations founder Ashely Michel organized a Wear a Ribbon Skirt & Dance Your Style special to honour the origins of her company. 'I was raised by my Mom & Grandma to always give back when I can. So, it has been a goal of mine to 'give back' through my business,' she wrote on social media in the lead-up to the event. 'I started making Ribbon Skirts for my daughter and I in 2013 to attend cultural events. My creations eventually progressed into regalia & we started travelling across Canada to Pow Wows which was the start of my business,' she added. In this photo, Michel's daughter's pink ribbons take flight as she dances in regalia adorned with blue beads. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. 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RNZ News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific Waves for 21 June 2025
Kapa haka group celebrate Matariki in NZ's Northland; NZ's pause on funding is 'patronising' - Cook Islands PM; New faces eager to enter Samoa politics; Experts brought in after cyber attack on Tonga health database. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.


Scoop
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Dance And Culture Lights Up Lower Hutt For Matariki
Lower Hutt will come alive from over the long weekend with movement, music and mana as three major dance events ignite community spirit. From the fierce rhythms of kapa haka to the sharp moves of street dance and a colourful celebration of cultural identity, Lower Hutt is set to host an exciting programme of performance events that will bring thousands together. Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry says he's excited to see events be hosted in the Hutt, and the thousands of people that will enjoy them. "It's great to see the Hutt will be buzzing this Matariki. These events bring people together and bring more people into our city, which is good news for local shops and hospitality. I'm proud we can help make them happen." The festivities begin on Matariki holiday, Friday 20 June, with the Haka Extravaganza at the Dowse Square. It showcases the unique power and artistry of kapa haka. There will be a hautapu ceremony at 6am which includes a free hangi breakfast. Performances start at 10am and entry is free. Spokesperson Ginny Maxwell says Haka Extravaganza is more than performance. "It's about providing an opportunity to come together and enjoy Kapa Haka but to also provide a space for all those who enjoy performing to do so." There are 12 performances through the day, involving about 350 performers. "We encourage people to pack a picnic lunch and spend the time together and enjoy the day." On 20-21 June, Hip Hop Unite storms the stage at the Lower Hutt Events Centre. This national dance event brings together top hip hop crews from across Aotearoa Hip Hop Unite Event Director Gemma Laing says this year will see a record 1500 dancers in 120 teams and duos from all parts of the motu. "We have heaps of mega crews - big crews with up to 25 dancers onstage. It'll add to the unmissable, choreographed magic." Dancers will also have an eye on qualifying for the Hip Hop Unite World Championships in the Czech Republic. Qualification isn't automatic. Instead, dancers are assessed by a judging panel to ensure they have a necessary level of competitiveness. Unfortunately tickets for Hip Hop Unite in Lower Hutt have sold out, reflecting the event's unmistakable popularity The much-loved Hutt Fest at Walter Nash Stadium runs from 24-27 June. It will feature more than 3000 student performers, watched by more than 14,000 spectators, in what is a vibrant celebration of Pasifika culture, identity and youth empowerment through song and dance. The tagline for the event is: Our Identity, Our Stage, Our Future. The event nurtures a strong sense of belonging, reinforces the value of ancestral knowledge, and empowers our young people to carry their traditions with confidence into the future. The ECE Concert is free entry, general admission for primary and intermediate Shows $8, general admission for college shows $10. Additional fee applies. Tickets available through my tickets. There are plenty of other events happening in Lower Hutt for Matariki and beyond. You can view a selection here


Scoop
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Wai, Kai & Kapa Haka – A Matariki Celebration At Matakana Village
Press Release – Matakana Village Its a day to experience the beauty and meaning of Matariki through immersive cultural moments, hands-on fun, and incredible kai all in the heart of Matakana Village. Matakana Village will once again be the beating heart of Matariki celebrations in Auckland's Rodney District on Friday June 20. Set beside the Matakana River, where freshwater meets the sea, Wai, Kai & Kapa Haka – A Matariki Celebration at Matakana Village is also the perfect location to honour Matariki 2025's theme 'Matariki ki te Wai' which translates to 'Matariki and Water'. The four-hour programme from 11am to 3pm is packed with activities that embrace the spiritual and life-giving connection between people and water in te ao Māori, drawing inspiration from the stars Waitī (freshwater), Waitā (saltwater), and Waipuna-ā-rangi (rain) within the Matariki cluster. It's a day to experience the beauty and meaning of Matariki through immersive cultural moments, hands-on fun, and incredible kai – all in the heart of Matakana Village. A partnership between Matakana Village & Farmers Market and the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust for a third year running, the event pays testament to tradition, embracing Matariki in a meaningful way and providing a place to reflect, reset, and come together as whānau. There will be a Kapa Haka performance from Matakana School, live music, storytelling, and plenty of whānau-friendly activities including a special collaboration with Friends of Awa Matakanakana (FOAM) to reflect on the role our rivers, estuaries and moana play in our lives, and how we can protect them for generations to come. (FOAM's principal aim is the restoration and maintenance of a healthy Sandspit Estuary and the two rivers that feed into it, Matakana River and Glen Eden River.) Attendees can expect to savour delicious kai, shop Māori crafts, partake in Matariki-inspired face painting, and learn more about the significance of the Matariki star cluster and the beautiful traditions that surround it. Matakana Village contemporary Māori design gallery Unity Collection is also hosting a three-hour weaving – Kono Basket Creation – wānanga* with designer and traditional Māori weaver Anastasia Rickard from 10am to 1pm. WHERE AND WHEN Friday, 20th June


Scoop
13-06-2025
- Scoop
New Motorway Makes Matakana Village And Farmer's Market More Accessible Than Ever
Matakana Village - Latest News [Page 1] Wai, Kai & Kapa Haka – A Matariki Celebration At Matakana Village It's a day to experience the beauty and meaning of Matariki through immersive cultural moments, hands-on fun, and incredible kai – all in the heart of Matakana Village. More >> Sunday, 18 June 2023, 6:10 pm | Matakana Village The opening of the new motorway from Pūhoi to Warkworth could not have come at a better time for Matakana Village retailers and business owners. Officially opened by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on Friday 16 June, the new motorway makes the famous ... More >>