SHESHEGWANING—Under beautiful sunny skies the Sheshegwaning First Nation held its 22nd annual powwow this past weekend, June 18-19.
“Good afternoon,” Sheshegwaning First Nation Chief Dean Roy said in welcoming all participants and the large crowd on hand for the Saturday events. “On behalf of the Sheshegwaning First Nation I would like to welcome all our visitors. We hope you enjoy the pow wow and our hospitality.”
“We also welcome our visitors who are carrying the eagle staffs, the drums and our arena director (John Fox),” said Chief Roy.
After the grand entry ceremony on Saturday, community elder Adeline Sampson presented the opening prayer. “We want to thank the Creator for such a beautiful day, and a beautiful powwow, and all the things the Creator has provided for us, like fish, animals and the beautiful moon we saw last night.”
“We are to follow all the Seven Grandfather teachings,” said Ms. Sampson. “No matter what race or colour you are, if you are black, yellow, red, or white, we are all brothers and sisters. We look out for each other.”
Ms. Sampson also thanked all the drums and dancers on hand for the powwow.
The host drum for the powwow was the Spirit Bear Singers. Head veteran dancer was Bill Antoine, while the head dancers included the brother-sister tandem of Martin and Crystal Kimewon.
Coordinator for the pow wow was Loretta Roy.
The large crowd in attendance included people from all over Manitoulin and off-Island. This included a resident from India, Aparna Mukerji in attendance.