AUNDECK OMNI KANING—The kickoff to the Island powwow season took place this past Saturday under clear and sunny skies as Aundeck Omni Kaning hosted its annual jiingtamok (powwow) at the community park and powwow grounds on the shores of the North Channel.
The grand entry featured a huge number of dancers in every regalia imaginable and the central arbour was packed with guest drums while the eagle staffs were borne into the dance arena under the dulcet tones of MC Robert Stoneypoint. This year, the pageantry of the grand entry culminated in a special presentation to a beloved member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning community, community wellness worker Mandy McGraw, who also heads up the organization and preparation of the powwow.
“I hope you are all here ready to dance hard and bring out the greatest spirits ever. I would like to honour a member of our community with an eagle feather who works hard behind the scenes and who does not always get the credit she deserves,” said presenter Katherine Barnes-Edwards as she presented one of the highest honours an Anishinaabe community can bestow upon an individual.
“Mandy has worked hard to bring culture to the community,” said Ogimaa Patsy Corbiere, who noted that Ms. McGraw created the community eagle staff that made its first public appearance at the powwow. “I am very proud of her. She helped with the staff—this is the first year we are carrying it into the powwow, but the issue is she is a woman, so she went through all the ceremonies to be able to carry that eagle staff. She helped with all the regalia you see for all the AOK First Nation children and adults. She made her own jingle dress to bring peace to this community and she has worked hard. I am very proud of her for having the heart that she has to try and bring unity to this community and everywhere that she goes.”
“I was very surprised, I wasn’t expecting that,” said Ms. McGraw, “To be honest, if I had known, I probably would have tried to run away,” she laughed. “I am not much of one for recognition.” Although humbled by the attention, Ms. McGraw admitted it was pleasant to have her work recognized and appreciated. “It is nice every once in a while.”
Ms. McGraw quickly deflected the conversation away from herself to note that the community would be honouring the youth in the community. “We chose ‘Honouring Our Youth’ as the theme,” she said. “We have been encouraging our youth to get back into the culture, to make regalia. We will be honouring them in a special later today, they don’t know that yet.”
Powwow royalty were crowned, including Junior Princess as Lynndra Madahbee-Peltier and Senior Miss as Nayeli Abotossaway.
The powwow is traditionally a First Nation’s invitation to everyone to come and visit the community and it is a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones—as well as picking up some great Indigenous artisan work from the many vendors on hand.
“It’s a record number of vendors,” said Ms. McGraw.
Longtime veterans of the powwow trail, David and Blanche White were on hand despite some serious health issues being experienced by Mr. White, stemming from a serious car accident a couple of years ago. The irrepressible Odawa trader could be found discussing the various hides and furs the couple had for sale with customers at their booth. But it isn’t just artisans and artists who take to the powwow trail.
Alicia Thompson from Georgian College was one of the “vendors,” but her goal was to attract potential students to Georgian and explain what the college has to offer. TD Canada Trust manager Pam Stephens was on hand with members of her staff to share what the bank has to offer.
Mya, Paul, Mercy and Aris had travelled up from Toronto to enjoy their first powwow experience and the family declared it delightful. US Marine Private First Class Caleb Corbiere of Wiikwemkoong had travelled all the way up from his base in North Carolina to attend his first powwow as a veteran. “I went to some when I was a kid,” he said. “But this is very different.”
Members of the Sergeant Golden Silver Star Memorial Rifle Team were on hand to fire a salute in honour of the warriors who have defended the land, and team leader Wayne Golden, himself a US military veteran, welcomed Private Corbiere to the powwow. The rifle team, which participates in many AOK events, has been “unofficially” adopted by the band, noted Ogimaa Corbiere.
Ms. McGraw issued a heartfelt chi-miigwetch to her powwow committee members for their hard work in helping to make the 2024 jiingtamok a resounding success. The committee members were Vanessa Nebesnuik, Carrie Madahbee, Shannon Madahbee, John Gerhardt-Esquimaux and Beverly Wilson.
