Students and staff from the Amisk Community School at the Beaver Lake Cree Nation welcomed guests from neighbouring communities (and their own) at the school's annual powwow event held on Friday, May 24 in the school's gym.
Jasmine Hunter and her little friends from the dance group of Meskanakew Ahtayowkan Cultural Club
Stew and Bannock was being served for lunch by Amisk School's Cree teacher. Utin Cardinal, a grade 10 student from Saddle Lake grabs a spoon for his stew
With more than this 200 people including dancers, drum groups and community members joining in from Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Frog Lake, Saddle Lake, Kikino and other neighbouring communities, this year's powwow had an amazing turn out and was a complete success, says Amisk Community School's principal, Darlene Cardinal.
"This year has been a really good turn out. We had visitors all the way from BC that came out and a lot of other schools that came to support us (including) Kikino, Kehewin, Frog Lake, Saddle Lake and Goodfish... This year was a lot bigger, there was a lot of support from the community and other neighbouring nations," Cardinal said.
Earl Wood from Saddle Lake was the Emcee for the all day powwow event
Ernie and Kerry Chrapko — a couple from St.Brides presented a personal cheque to the school staff for $1,000 to show their support. Valerie Hunter and Clarence Ward received the cheque on behalf of ACS
Amisk staff organizes the school powwow every year — mainly during the spring season — and with its increasing popularity and the yearly increase in numbers, the current venue of the event (school gym) seems to get smaller and smaller, she says.
"Every year we have a school powwow and it just seems that every year it gets bigger and bigger. Our venue, the school gym was a little bit too small this year, so we are thinking maybe next year we will have to move it outdoors," said Cardinal.
Emma Gladue, Shalayna Mcgilvery and Josanna Makokis from Saddle Lake during their performance
Clarence ward is from Beaver Lake's Meskanakew Ahtayowkan Cultural Club. He is one of the founding members of the school's powwow event
With the increasing support and participation from not only kids but adults as well, Cardinal including other school staff appreciates that community members also want to take part in the school event, and she took the opportunity to thank everyone who joined them for the powwow.
"It's unbelievable. Good participation from the schools, the adults from different communities that came out and participated in the event... Chief and council have been very supportive as well... I would like to thank all the neighbouring nations that came out, the other communities, Earl Wood — the Emcee — that came from Saddle Lake, our staff and everyone else that was involved in organizing this community event," said Cardinal.
Students from Saddle Lake dance group getting ready for their performance
Waseskwan Quinn from Saddle Lake during his performance
Saddle Lake students Waseskwan Quinn, Elijah Cardinal and Aidan Mcgilvery team up for the group dance
Utin Cardinal and Raven Wood showcase their colourful attire as they perform in the school's gym
Utin Cardinal
Leroy Half and Reggie Steinhauer were members from one of the adults group performing at the Amisk School Powwow.
Gary Berland and Thomas Quinney from Frog Lake waiting in the school's hallway as they prep for their dance performance
The Beaver Lake Cree Nation community members are planning to organize their 'Treaty Days' event on June 14, which will be held at Beaver Lake's Spruce Point Resort. Another upcoming event is the school's Awards Day which will be held on June 27.
