For the first time in years and since the beginning of the Pandemic, a powwow was held at Camp 2 Ma-Me-O Beach on Aug. 22, 2020.
Individuals from Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan came to participate. The powwow was organized as a way to bring some joy back into the lives of those attending, a bright spot of laughter, dancing and music after the stresses brought on by COVID-19.
Osamuskwasis Roan and her family were the main organizers for the powwow, and she says despite it being a fairly last minute plan, the event came together perfectly.
Those attending social distanced and stayed within their cohort groups, with most wearing masks as well.
Ma-Me-O beach resident and realtor Kirsty Lloyd says that it was incredibly exciting to see a powwow out at Ma-Me-O again. Her family has been settled in the Ma-Me-O area since the early 1950s and Lloyd says she loves the Indigenous culture surrounding the area and, “I want to know about our Indigenous peoples here.”
She was on a walk when she heard the sounds of the drums coming from the powwow.
“I get goose bumps thinking about it,” Lloyd says. “Everything was so beautiful and powerful.”
She attended the powwow and was mesmerized by the music, dances and culture. Lloyd says she hopes that there will be more powwows held at Ma-Me-O in the future and that the community is thrilled and open for more of these events.
“It has me excited,” she says. “It was a powerful weekend.”
shaela.dansereau@pipestoneflyer.ca
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