Beaders, crafters and dancers get ready for First Nations University of Canada's spring powwow

Listen to this article

Estimated 4 minutes

The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

Beaders, crafters, dancers and singers are all preparing for the First Nations University of Canada's annual powwow this weekend in Regina.

This is the 50th year the school has held a powwow to celebrate the cultures and traditions of Indigenous people.

Kokum Elvie Stonechild, from Nekaneet First Nation in southwest Saskatchewan, has been going to the powwow since it started, as a dancer or a spectator.

She said she looks forward to "just visiting family and friends, dancing and showing off my new regalia (if I get it done, fingers crossed) and just encouraging others to dance."

Stonechild is hoping to finish a fully beaded cape that she has been working on since 2019 to wear as she dances at the Brandt Centre.

She is also working on her granddaughter's leggings and moccasins, and she has a list of things she needs to do before this weekend.

"I really appreciate the women's traditional dancers," Stonechild said.

"I've been beading my cape. I weighed it: sixteen pounds without the fringes. And I don't know how they do it. These women are strong."

Elvie Stonechild often includes imitation elk teeth on her women's traditional dresses, like the one seen here. (Louise BigEagle/CBC)

Stonechild has had a lifelong connection with the powwow circle, where she began to dance at just four years old. She said she wanted to dance and so her kokum (grandmother) made her a buckskin dress, gathered a drum group and offered a gift to an elder to pray.

Now her children and grandchildren are dancers themselves. Her granddaughter was initiated into the powwow arbour and is currently the George Gordon First Nation powwow princess.

Stonechild said the unsung heroes of powwows are the beaders, regalia makers and the people who come to watch, as well as the singers and drummers, as without them powwows wouldn't happen.

"There's so much to the powwow life and powwow circle and I'm totally participating and living it; it's just a way of life," said Stonechild.

Beads in demand

Bead Bro Art Supply store just opened a few weeks ago in Regina but there has already been a rush of people in and out to buy supplies for their regalia.

Jeremy Hannah said he opened the store because he saw the need for it after two local craft stores closed down, where many beaders and regalia makers went for supplies.

Jeremy Hannah is from Muskowekwan First Nation and will have pop ups of his store at the powwow. (Louise BigEagle/CBC)

"It's so great to see all the awesome regalia and stuff because I'm not really a beader myself, but [I get] to see everybody's work after they come and buy stuff from me," said Hannah.

Hannah, who is from Muskowekwan First Nation, said he has to have a lot of beads around as the most serious beaders will buy in bulk.

Hannah said he will have things like beads, jingles, and sewing necessities at the powwow, along with special items like sinew, glue, thread and needles in case someone's regalia is in need of repair.

Kickoff to powwow season

Jerry Shepherd, 72, is a traditional dancer from White Bear First Nations and has danced since he was five, when he was initiated by his grandpa by offering a horse.

Shepherd not only dances at the powwows but he also has an old-style trading post where he sells, trades and buys. Shepherd sells beaded earrings, belts, beaded hats and beaded medallions that he sourced from local crafters.

Jerry Shepherd has been dancing powwow since he was five years old. (Louise BigEagle/CBC)

Shepherd said he's been looking forward to this powwow as it's the kickoff to the powwow season, with the outdoor ones starting around June and then on till October.

Shepherd will be dancing his traditional dance that he once danced all over Europe, to showcase his culture.

Stonechild said she hopes everyone will come to the powwow whether it's to dance intertribal, buy new earrings or a fresh bannock taco from the stands or maybe just to sit with friends and visit as they watch the dancers show off their Indigenous pride.