M’CHIHGEENG—The grand entry on Saturday afternoon may have started fashionably late, but the weekend provided near perfect weather for the two days of this year’s M’Chigeeng Traditional Powwow.
The powwow opened with an invocation to the Four Directions delivered by Elder Norma Jean Migwans and welcoming remarks by M’Chigeeng Councillors Ross Armstrong and Kevin Eshkawkogan following the grand entry.
This year’s event was co-emceed by the incomparable Darren McGregor and Gordie Odjig, who kept the action rolling smoothly throughout the weekend with the aid of arena director Dave Trudeau. Head dancers were Matthew and Sophie Pheasant and youth head dancers were Maria Cheechoo and Noah Hare. Head elders were Marilyn Debassige and Clarence Pangowish. Head veteran was Ogimaa Morgan Hare. Host drum was Warpaint Singers, ably assisted in their duties by co-host Young Biisneh. Jason Manitowabi was on hand to ensure the sound system did its job flawlessly.
photos by Michael Erskine
One of the highlights of the Saturday special performances was provided by special guest Celina Cada-Matasawagon, a champion hoop dancer.
This may have been the last powwow on the Island for the summer (Whitefish River will be hosting their delayed powwow with a one-day event later in September), but the weekend lacked for nothing, with all of the usual dancers in their finest regalia, artisan vendors and purveyors of some of the best powwow eats to be had anywhere.
A special treat this year was Anishinaabewin Maamninendimowin: Pane Gii-Bite (Indigenous Ingenuity: Timeless Inventions), a collaborative display hosted by Science North and Indigenous Tourism Ontario and partner organizations. This travelling exhibit will also be visiting 17 other communities across the North. Sudbury will be the last stop of the exhibit this fall, so if you missed it at the M’Chigeeng Powwow, it will be open to visitors for free once it returns to Science North’s facility in that community.
