Latest news with #powwow
CBC
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Caldwell First Nation to offer tours of traditional sites en route to first pow wow on new reserve
Caldwell First Nation will hold its first ever pow wow on its new reserve in Leamington next month — and people will be able to take bus tours en route that will showcase the community's history. The Caldwell First Nation Pow Wow Bus Tour will take 105 riders on a free 90-minute tour along the Windsor-Essex shoreline, during which Caldwell First Nation guides will take them to village sites, trading posts and trails that helped sustain the people for thousands of years. "Our people have touched every square foot of this region and left lasting and sometimes invisible imprints," said Chief Nikki van Oirschot in a news release announcing the tours. "People in our region can take this opportunity to learn about the incredibly rich, sacred and historic First Nation sites." Members of the First Nation began moving to the reserve last summer after securing a $105-million land claim settlement in 2011 and acquiring 80 hectares of land, which were officially designated a reserve in 2020. Holding the first ever pow wow on the new lands "means everything to us," said Coun. Randy DeGraw. "This is so exciting for all of us. … We have fought very hard to get our land back. We have it, and we have people living on the reserve now. So the next step of course is to have this competition pow wow and to celebrate." It's especially important for the community to hold the event for the youth, DeGraw added, because it will inspire them to host their own pow wows as well. DeGraw said a particularly beautiful aspect of the event is the coming together of the First Nation and its neighbours. "What we're hoping to do is plant a little seed with this pow wow, and every year watch it grow a little more and more," he said, "and the unity between First Nations and the surrounding communities coming together." The pow wow is a competitive event that will feature drummers, singers and dancers from other nations who will compete for prizes, DeGraw said. The grand entries take place at noon and 6 p.m on Aug. 9 and noon on Aug. 10. The Caldwell First Nation Pow Wow Bus Tour will depart Windsor at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10. Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island is providing a promotional sponsorship to the project. The collaboration marks the first step in what will hopefully be "a long and meaningful collaboration on Indigenous tourism," said Gordon Orr, CEO of the tourism organization in the news release. "We're honoured to walk alongside a nation so rich in stories, wisdom and heritage, and we're excited to help open more doors for visitors to engage with and learn from their incredible legacy." Riders will board the bus at Destination Ontario – Ontario Travel Information Services at 110 Park St. E. in Windsor.
CBC
20 hours ago
- CBC
Caldwell First Nation to hold first competition pow wow on reserve lands in Leamington
If you've never been to a true pow wow, Caldwell First Nation welcomes you to a special gathering on Aug. 9 and 10. There will even be a free bus tour that will take you from Windsor to the reserve in Leamington. CBC's Dalson Chen reports.
CTV News
13-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘It is an opportunity of a lifetime': Cote First Nation names honourary Chief for a day
Cote First Nation Chief George Cote and the Nation's honourary "Chief For the Day" Nick Fraser (Centre). The announcement was made at the First Nation's traditional powwow and gathering of nations on Saturday, July 13, 2025. (Fruzsina De Cloedt/CTV News) As part of a new tradition on Cote First Nation, one lucky resident became Chief of the community for a day. Cars and trucks were kicking up dust while chimes provided a lively score to the Cote First Nation Traditional Powwow and Gathering of Nations on Saturday. The parking lot near the First Nation's ice rink was almost fully occupied as people were pulling up to enjoy the festivities. The program included a rodeo, horse relay racing and the powwow with an honourary guest. Participants moved towards the new powwow arbour, which is a circular structure complete with a slatted roof and bleachers. In its centre, there is ample room for dozens of performers. The bleachers and most of the chairs were filled with spectators as dancers were performing to the sound of drums in the centre. Just next to the arbour, teepees were built. This is where Cote First Nation Chief George Cote was casually chatting with other dignitaries, including the Mayor of Yorkton, Aaron Kienle. Next to the men and women in colorful attire stood Nick Fraser. With Cote First Nation's beaded necklace hanging from his neck, he looked excited. He had every reason to be. He was the nation's 'Honourary Chief of the Day.' 'I thought, you know, the children are so special and the ones with disabilities ... we want to make them known,' Chief Cote explained. Cote First Nation put the experience up for Snowarama's 2025 silent auction. Through the event, they raised funds to support three programs designed to enhance accessibility, joy, and inclusion for individuals living with disabilities in Saskatchewan. 'My job here today to save money for Camp Easter Seal,' said Nick Fraser, Cote First Nation's Honourary Chief, referring to one of the initiatives supported by the auction. The others being Summer Fun and Adaptive Technology Services. The young man lives with Down syndrome, and for him and his peers, the camp is a wonderful opportunity to connect with each other and have fun. 'We are so very fortunate to have a Camp Easter Seal in Saskatchewan – where so many kids get the opportunity [to go],' Gerry Ann Fraser, Nick's mother, told CTV News. Camp Easter Seal is located on the shores of Little Manitou Lake at Manitou Beach near Watrous. Cote First Nation The Cote First Nation Traditional Powwow and Gathering of Nations was held on Saturday, July 13, 2025. (Fruzsina De Cloedt/CTV News) Gerry Ann says it costs $1,900 per year to send somebody to the camp. A steep price due to the expert care provided to campers. 'They are looked after and there's medical staff, there's counselors, there's everything that you could ever want,' Gerry Ann explained. 'But it's wheelchair accessible. They take care of diets; they take care of all of their needs.' Nick said becoming an honourary chief for a day was a dream come true. His mother agrees. 'It is an opportunity of a lifetime for someone like Nicholas to have, to be in a position to get to participate alongside Chief George.' They were quick to clarify that Nick paid for his experience on Saturday out of his own pocket. 'It is such an honor to see Nick so happy and smiling, knowing that he's going to be chief of Cote First Nation for the day,' said chief George. 'You know, it just makes it so rewarding.' This was the first time the First Nation organized a 'Chief for a Day' experience, but Chief George said he plans to make it a regular program going forward. Soon after the interview, the opening ceremony began. First Nation dignitaries and their honoured guests, such as the RCMP, began marching and dancing in the middle of the arbour. Nick was amongst them, accompanied by his father. He was proudly carrying the orange flag, which read 'Every Child Matters.' Once the dancing came to an end, the dignitaries were addressed one by one and lined up in front of the elders. Nick was announced as the honourary chief. As he shook hands, the emcee reminded everyone that the beaded medallion hanging from Nick's neck was, 'a key to the reserve, and he can go anywhere he wants.'
CTV News
03-07-2025
- CTV News
OPP investigate vandalism at park in Bracebridge
Provincial police are seeking the public's help with their investigation into an act of vandalism at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge. Police believe a vehicle was driven over several teepee poles, causing significant damage, and noted one pole was missing from the park. The incident is believed to have happened sometime between Sunday evening and Tuesday morning following the second annual 'See Muskoka Through Our Eyes' powwow, which was held at the park over the weekend. The OPP is asking anyone with information or video surveillance from the area of Santa's Village Road and Annie Williams Park to contact it at 1-888-310-1122. Authorities are working to identify those responsible and are relying on tips from the public to help solve the case.
CTV News
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Celebrated for who they are': Hundreds gather for first two-spirit powwow
Indigenous dancers are seen at city's first two-spirit powwow put on by the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society on June 28, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Darcy Seaton) The Edmonton 2 Spirit Society started its first-ever two-spirit powwow Saturday with great success. Hundreds of people – many wearing traditional Indigenous regalia – gathered at Borden Park in northeast Edmonton to participate and enjoy the powwow celebrating the two-spirit, Indigi-queer, and queer community. SPIRIT POWWOW Hundreds gathered at Borden Park for the city's first two-spirit powwow put on by the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society on June 28, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Darcy Seaton) Lena Green, interim executive director of the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society said the event creates a space where the two-spirit community can show up as who they are. 'They don't have to come in and choose if they want to dance in a feminine or masculine category,' said Green at the powwow Saturday morning. 'There's just jingle, there's just fancy, there's fancy shawl, there's bustle, there's chicken, but there is no gender. 'We want people and community to be able to just be celebrated for who they are.' SPIRIT POWWOW Lena Green, the interim executive director of the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society, is seen at the two-spirit powwow on June 28, 2025. (CTV News Edmonton/Darcy Seaton) Green said the powwow is about sharing culture but also about how people can show up for the two-spirit and queer communities every day. In previous years, the Edmonton 2 Spirit Society partnered with bigger festivals. This year, they didn't want to be an 'add-on.' 'We wanted the ceremony to speak for itself and to have its own day and meaning,' said Green, adding that they chose Borden Park so dancers could dance on grass and there would be a greater connection to nature, like with traditional powwows. The Edmonton 2 Spirit Society provides social, health, and cultural programs and services to two-spirit, Indigi-queer and Indigenous LGBTQ+ communities in the city. The society also increases access to public services for Indigenous trans and non-binary people while providing a community gathering space with resources. Two-spirit is a term often used to represent various gender identities and sexual orientation within the Indigenous community. The powwow runs until 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Borden Park. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Darcy Seaton.
