Powwow brings people together

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Chief Morris Monias' vision of a powwow for the community of Heart Lake has finally become a reality.

It's been almost 12 months since the chief of the Heart Lake First Nation had a vision to bring a powwow to his people. The weekend of July 28 to 30 saw the realization of that dream.

The first Heart Lake powwow saw 170 dancers in full Native dress take to the ring from Friday until Monday morning.

"It's been a long time in coming. It was a vision of the chief that one day he would host the powwow in his community. That dream became a reality," said event co-ordinator Sam Cardinal.

"We're doing it for the youth, the people and the Elders to make them proud of their community and proud to be from Heart Lake. They've been silent long enough," said Monias, over Native music from Sunday night's intertribal dance.

Planning and the actual staging of the event has been long and arduous, but well worth it.

"We had to secure the financial resources, the people, and convince the community that Heart Lake can host a powwow. It all came together," continued Cardinal.

"We want to get people aware of where Heart Lake is and what Native culture is all about. We want to create awareness and educate people. There's more to Indian people than meets the eye . . . It goes for everybody, we're all human."

Both men are tabbing this as an annual event that will only get better as the years go by.

"I think it was a great success for the first time. I go around to a lot of powwows and I see people and they're having fun. That's something that communities need to do. Only good things can grow out of this," said Monias.

"I would say it was a huge success. I've been going around to people and they've told me that they'll be coming back next year. For a first annual we had a really good turn-out," added Cardinal.