WIIKWEMKOONG—The grand entry into the Thunder Bird Park dance arena during the Wiikwemkoong Cultural Festival (aka Wiiky Powwow) took place under a blistering sun on Saturday, August 3, with the longest procession of dancers (more than 420) to ever follow the Eagle staffs and flags. The grass-turfed dance arena floor went a long way toward beating the heat.
Earlier in the day, the new Miss Wiikwemkoong was crowned by her predecessor following the competition before a panel of judges made up of previous royalty.
In a switch-up from previous years, founder (along with her sister Angel-baa) Tracy Cleland had the previous year’s Miss Wiikwemkoong present the results and speak before presenting the crown to her successor, Florence Osawamick.
“I am working on training a new group of kwe to help put on the pageant,” noted Ms. Cleland. Previous winners have gone on to not only compete at higher pageant levels but have gone on to accomplished careers—such as Kara Kennedy, who has just recently been called to the bar as a lawyer.
“I am passing on the crown to the next Miss Wiiky,” said 2023 Miss Wiikwemkoong Alanna Pashe. “I am so excited I get to do this this year. I just want to say to all the four contestants, you are all talented and amazing women. You should all be proud of yourselves.”
The contestants for Miss Wiikwemkoong included Miss Osawamick, Denaya Pitawanakwat, Marie Anne Maiangowi-Manatch and Bee Dokis. Ms. Dokis is first runner up and will take up the crown should Ms. Osawamick be unable to fulfill her duties explained Ms. Osawamick.
On Sunday, Jr. Miss Wiikwemkoong Aanimikwan Trudeau and Little Miss Ayah were crowned as well.
This year’s cultural festival was emceed by Allan Manitowabi, Jason Whitehouse of Mount Pleasant and Wiikwemkoong’s own Duke Peltier. Mr. Whitehouse, who is originally from Oklahoma, joked in the 30-degree-plus weather that he needed to put on a couple of extra shirts and a jacket.
Head veteran was Jan Ritchie, arena director Cheyanne Kitchikake, head drum judge Joseph Syrette of Batchewana FN, head male dancer was Jordan White Eye of Bkwejwanong, head female dancer was Ann Marie Proulx-White of Neyaashiingmiing, Smoke Dance singer was Regis Cook of Onondada and head elders were Gerry Kaboni and Linda Kaboni.
Prizes for the event were stellar, including $12,000 for the drum competition and $1,200 in each of the adult dance competitions, $500 for teens and $300 for boys and girls from seven to 12.
Cultural Pavilion events included a smoked fish and wild game demonstration by Wiikwemkoong Tourism, Powwow Etiquette with Tracy Cleland and MC Lisa Osawamik, Beam Paints by Lyndsay Taibossigai, Anishinaabe History of the Great Lakes with historian Joshua Manitowabi, an Unceded Beads show and the official launch of the new Wiikwemkoong Cultural Festival logo, Metis fiddle music, a Smoke Dance presentation from Six Nations Tourism, the Evolution of Indigenous Food, Scott Wabuna Youth Engagement meet and greet, a fashion show featuring designs from Turtle Island’s designers and an art show featuring the works of Leland Bell, Mishiikenh Kwe, Emily Kewageshig and a host of other Indigenous artists from Odawa Mnis (Manitoulin Island).
The Wiikwemkoong Cultural Festival was another outstanding cultural event and was attended by a huge crowd coming from all across Turtle Island and beyond with a host of food and craft vendors ready to meet every need.
C: Former Wiikwemkoong Ogimaa Duke Peltier, foreground, was kept busy throughout the powwow, keeping up a steady banter and encouraging the crowd participation.
C2: Master of Ceremonies Lisa Osawamick introduces the panel of artists during the exhibition in the Cultural Pavilion.
C3: OPP officer John Hill, right, is seconded to the Wiikwemkoong Tribal Police as the Indigenous force is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of new recruits.
C4: The powwow grounds were in tip top shape thanks to the hard work of folks like Stitch Manitowabi, who was busy delivering chairs to the elders’ tent.
C5: Champion hoop dancers Gordie Odjig and niece Lisa Odjig met up at the powwow. Ms. Odjig was dancing while Mr. Odjig was more focused on teaching and demonstrations.
C6: Woman’s Traditional Dance is a stately and dignified affair, very unlike the much more energetic dances of the Shawl or Jingle Dress dancers.
C7: Nickel Belt MP Marc Serre, seated right, took in the details of proper powwow etiquette from speaker Tracy Cleland in the Cultural Pavilion.
C8: Powwows are the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new ones that can last a lifetime on the powwow trail.
C9: A group of Men’s Traditional dancers strut their stuff before the judges, vying for the $1,200 first prize up for grabs at the powwow.
C10:The jingle dress dance is a healing dance, created in response to a critical illness of a family member, the dance has gone on to become a ubitquitous presence at powwows.
C11: Men’s Traditional Dancers are the storytellers and their dance regals the audience with their exploits.
C12: This young dancer’s regalia may have been limited to T-shirt and jeans, but he had all the moves down pat.
