This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
Powwow. Many have heard the word before, but few have had the chance to experience one. However, those in Quebec are accessible to everyone: young and old, indigenous and non-indigenous. And with its “powwow route”, Tourisme Autochtone Québec hopes that more people will put one or more of these events on the schedule of their summer plans.
Around twenty gatherings are listed on the route of the powwows which take place between June and September. On the program, there are sports competitions, traditional dances and songs, craft kiosks and culinary specialties, exhibitions, sacred fires…
When asked the question, Laurence Lainé describes powwows as unifying events with sacred value for First Nations of all generations. ” For [les Autochtones], it is a way of witnessing their culture, while for non-natives, attending is a way of showing interest and curiosity. We can talk about cultural affirmation versus cultural appreciation,” explains the marketing advisor at Tourisme Autochtone Québec.
According to a Léger survey carried out in 2022, 89% of Quebecers said they wanted to have experiences linked to indigenous culture, but only half of them had already taken part. “I think there is a lack of awareness of the possibilities we have and that people don’t know where to start. It’s our role to communicate information and let people know that the doors are open so that we can get to know each other,” says M.me Wool.
From one powwow to another
In the four corners of the province, powwows, which generally last over a weekend, have similarities, but also each offer their differences, since “each Nation has its colors”. But the fact remains that there are classics, explains Mme Wool. “The grand entrance, which officially opens the event, is an important moment of the powwow. There is a master of ceremonies, dancing, singing and drumming. Many are then dressed in their regalia, a garment which embodies each person’s identity and which is enhanced with valuable objects depending on what happens in their life. »
In the vast spaces where powwows are held – a campsite, the grounds of a church, an amphitheater for example – there are also craft and food kiosks. Through the more classic fast food offering, visitors will be able to make discoveries as the communities present their specialties: sagamité, bannock bread, smoked sturgeon, game meat cooked over a fire, among others.
In order to encourage friendly encounters during a first powwow, Tourisme Autochtone Québec publishes on its site a list of tips to ensure respect for the participants and their traditions. Ask permission before taking photos, do not consume alcohol or drugs on site, do not hesitate to ask questions to better understand certain aspects of the culture… These are some of the recommended best practices.
Meeting others
For hundreds of years, Indigenous people have come together to dance, connect and celebrate their culture. After traditional ceremonies were banned by the Canadian government from 1886 to 1951, the annual custom revived in the 1960s and 1970s.
On the side of Quebec Native Tourism, we have been listing the powwows in the province for almost 10 years in order to make them more accessible. “If some still believe that powwows are not open to everyone, it is quite the opposite: Nations visit each other from one powwow to another and non-natives are also welcome. Attending one of these events is part of an interest in learning more about indigenous cultures and is appreciated by all. »
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.