Nipissing Pow Wow 2018

2 days ago I had the blessings of attending quite a beautiful event.

It is the 2nd year that I go to this amazing ceremony, giving me chills and vibrations just hearing the sacred drum.

This year, the Pow Wow was for healing; resilient past and confident future. I am so happy for this one and so thankful to have been there.

The very first time I went to a Pow Wow, I will never forget this, hearing the grandmother drum was so powerful. I felt it, not just hear it. I felt it within, and even my youngest, without ever being there before, felt it and couldn't help herself. She moved with the drum, the same way as the dancer's did without even looking at them. It was huge, it was sacred. The first ceremony, the awakening of the earth is always the one that moves me the most. My eyes fill with tears.

After the opening ceremony it was announced that 30 years ago, not that long ago, on the same grounds they hold their ceremonies in Nipissing, Ontario; the Canadian government had laws in order to keep them from dancing, holding their ceremonies. 30 years ago! Not that long ago. But they were resilient, and they fought and today, they continue to dance, celebrate life, the creator, all beings and spirits. And they do it with such beauty, it really is magical.

After the first 3 songs by host drum Young Eagle, also with co-host drum, The Ottawa River Singers, we were allowed to take out our cameras and be a part of some of their dances.

The first dance in which we could take pictures was a healing dance for people they know needing help with healing. The women in their jingle dresses we just gorgeous. The sound of their dresses in unison of the drum, was so amazing.
If you would like to know more about the jingle dancers and their regalia, this site here has a great explanation.

One thing I was looking forward to again was seeing the Benson brothers dance. Last year their dance had me captivated. Their story was one of hunters hunting for birds. He had his tomahawk in hand, his regalia on and danced his story beautifully. Made me want to be part of the hunt. Be there spiritually and be part of his tribe.
Getting to see the brothers this year was a treat.

This is Sandy

His brother Ned

This year was a bit different. They told their hunting story through dance but with this brother leading the tribe, guiding them to follow.

Sorry for the bad photography, so many people, lot's of movement and excitement came into play.

Last year I thought it was perhaps disrespectful to take any pictures knowing that so many were doing that already. But this year I wanted to keep the memories, so I took quite a few. Even got to take a picture with Sandy Benson.

With this ceremony being about healing I took the opportunity to ask this jingle dancer to dance for a friend of mine.
When I saw her, her dance spoke to me, her regalia and her movements plus being a mother is the reasons why I had to ask her in particular for my friend.

Here she is dancing for her, with the tobacco I offered in a red material pouch in her hand she danced in her honour. For me this ceremony was held for her, as for many others, but the timing for this annual pow wow could not have been any better. Holding her there in spirit, dancing to the sacred drum was the best thing I could do. Love you my friend!

Sometimes we need to step out of ourselves, look beyond our lives and think of others. Many struggles, many fights in all different ways. It is important to think and pray for them, hold them in spirit in the ways you can. We are all one being, we are all together. Let's be one all together and praise the life that we have. Being thankful to the earth for what we are given.

Here are a few more pictures I took during the Pow Wow. I am thankful to have been there and grateful for what they do.