We have sent this month's edition out a bit early to ensure you have plenty of time to participate in some upcoming June events with the children & youth in your care! |
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CONNECTIONS is for Foster and Kinship Caregivers to help them support the Indigenous, Metis and Inuit children and youth in their care to stay connected and learn more about their culture and traditions.
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Indigenous people have been celebrating June 21st; the Summer Solstice (longest day of the year), long before there was a National Indigenous Peoples Day. Indigenous people across Canada gather and celebrate the Summer Solstice and National Indigenous Day in diverse and unique ways.
In the north, the Inuit gather and celebrate with traditional drumming, dancing, games and foods like Inuvik's Arctic celebrations under the Midnight Sun.
At Metis Festivals you will be entertained by talented performers, jigging and fiddling competitions where competitors of all ages show off their skills and traditional music, food, voyageur games and fun activities for the whole family.
On the West Coast, First Nations people celebrate with a potlatch, a gift-giving festival with traditional song, dance, food and the barter of wealth through gifts.
For the First Nations people from the Great Plains, the Prairies and the Great Lakes, the Summer Solstice is the start of the summer powwow season, and this year for the first time ever the Calgary Stampede will be hosting its first powwow with North America’s best Indigenous dancers set to compete between July 12 -14, 2022. Watch Video to Learn More!
To help you celebrate, this month's SPOTLIGHT is powwows
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As foster and kinship caregivers, ALIGN Association knows you’re trying to ensure the kids in your care are getting exposure to their culture and what better way than attending a traditional gathering like the powwow! We've put together some "great to know" resources, so you'll be ready to attend your first powwow with all the "great to know" tips and insights!
WELCOME!
(But no pets please!)
Maybe you haven’t attended a powwow before and, like others, aren’t sure if you are allowed to attend, but at most powwows, EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
If you are unclear about what it’s all about or what you are supposed to do when you get there, that’s okay; you’re not alone. Let's learn together! Gather up the kids and watch these great short videos, learn the do's & don'ts, try out the fun activities and check out the upcoming scheduled events.
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WATCH A POWWOW
If you've never seen a powwow, this is an opportunity to get more familiar with what you might expect to see.
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If you have a child or youth interested in Dancing, this is a great video by Indigenous young people who explain the dances, their regalia and how they made it and how they have spiritually and emotionally grown through their dance experience.
WATCH SHORT FILM
This short film is featuring British Columbia's First Nations Alex and Daniel Wells (World Champion) dancing in the scenic BC landscapes. Beautiful!
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Powwows can be traditional or competitive. Traditional pow wows are usually smaller and include a feast. Competitive powwows have dance categories for women, men and children ages 5 - 17. The dancers are judged on their ability to dance and their regalia in the various age and dance style categories.
WATCH!
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IMPORTANT
The clothing the dancers wear is called regalia, not costumes. Don't just walk up to a dancer and touch their regalia or start taking photos of them without asking their permission first. Always be respectful.
CAN I DANCE AT A POWWOW?
Listen for the MC to announce an intertribal dance, and then join in! Don't be shy; just give it a try! Walk to the beat and watch what others are doing.
LEARN TO POWWOW DANCE!
Banff Centre Pre-registration is required. This is a free workshop open to registration for people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, and various levels of experience.
YouTube Dance Tutorials
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DRUMS - THE POW WOW PULSE |
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IMPORTANT! At a powwow, only those with the permission of the Lead Singer can sit at the drum. Don't play or touch drums without permission and if a drum group is singing, don't approach until they are done.
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POWWOWS & DRUMS
The Drum brings the heartbeat of our Earth Mother to the pow wow for all to feel and hear. Drumming brings everyone back into balance. Whether dancing, singing or just listening, people around the Drum can connect with spirit. It is no wonder the Drum should be treated with great respect. Learn More PowWows.com
WATCH
LEARN HOW TO MAKE DRUMS!
Youth & Adults
Tweens
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TASTE THE TRADITION!
Traditional foods are an important part of Pow Wow celebrations. Even if you can't attend, try making a popular favourite - Bannock (Fry Bread) at home! And if you do go to a powwow, make sure to try some of the traditional foods!
#FryBreadFriday is a video series that celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day through the sharing of fry bread (Bannock) cooking techniques, recipes and stories. Make Some Bannock!
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If you're thinking about attending a powwow this summer with the children and youth in your care, it’s so much easier to embrace a new experience for the first time when you go into it with some awareness and understanding of what to expect and what is expected of you so here are a few more things you'll want to know.
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- Dress modestly and respectfully. Women usually wear knee-length skirts.
- No alcohol, drugs or profanity.
- Guide dogs are allowed, but pets are not.
- Bring chairs and a blanket if it's outdoors.
- Don't sit in areas designated for elders, officials, dancers or drummers.
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Listen and learn and let the Master of Ceremonies guide you.
- Stand respectfully during special songs like the Grand Entry, flag songs, and veteran’s songs.
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Pay attention to what others are doing, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Don't walk across the arena floor; always walk around the perimeter.
- Come prepared to make donations to a good cause.
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If you see a feather on the ground, don't pick it up. Let someone know it's there.
- Don't take photos without permission. If you're not sure, listen to guidance from the MC, ask someone and watch what the First Nations people in the audience are doing.
- Take time to visit the artisan and food vendors.
NOW YOU KNOW! Just remember you are a guest, be open-minded and respectful of the people, the blessed grounds you enter and walk upon and the protocols above. Embrace this wonderful opportunity to make memories and gain valuable cultural insights and connections along with the Indigenous children and youth in your care.
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“Teach & Learn by Doing” Eight tipis will be raised on the Parkdale School grounds. Knowledge Keepers for each tipi will host ceremonies and traditional teachings for different participants each day.
June 17, 18, 20, 21 (Register for one or more days)
Day 1 – Bent Arrow Staff & Children Services Partners
Day 2 – Families we serve
Day 3 – Community Agency Partners
Day 4 – Closing Ceremony with all participants
The event will be broadcast live across all APTN channels, AMI-tv and participating community radio stations across the country.
June 19, 2022 (Edmonton)
June 20, 2022 (Online)
June 20, 2022 (Red Deer)
June 20 - 25, 2022
June 21, 2022, 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM The Harry Hays Building to Fort Calgary Free to Join in the Walk for Reconciliation, an opportunity to reflect on the difficult history and atrocities of residential schools in Canada, the legacies of survivors, and how we can all move forward together to overcome adversity.
Jun. 21, 2022, @ 1:30 PM; Sun., Oct. 2, 2022, @ 2:30 PM Fort Calgary
Free June 21, 2022 ZOOM 12:00 PM
June 21, 2022 (Calgary)
June 21, 2022 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM MT (Online)
June 25, 2022 (Métis Crossing)
June 25, 2022 (Calgary)
June 26, 2022 (Grande Prairie)
CALGARY STAMPEDE EVENTS
Elbow River Camp July 8 – 17 (On the Stampede grounds) Experience the cultures of the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina First Nations of Elbow River Camp Treaty 7 in Elbow River Camp, presented by Enbridge. Here you will find 26 tipis to visit, local artisans selling jewelry and art, bannock and saskatoon berry jam, traditional dancing and much more.
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