New Windspeaker Columnist

Page 33

Windspeaker is proud to announce the input of a new columnist, Boye Ladd. Ladd will be sending us copy every week while he travels the Powwow Trails across North America.

Boye Ladd is an American Indian and has his family ties in the state of Wisconsin. His traditional roots stem from the Winnebago (Hochungra being the tribal name).

Boye Ladd is a dancer and a qualified historian on Indian dances of North America.

Ladd fought in the Viet Nam conflict and sometimes on the powwow trail, he tells of the war and his part in it. He tells his story with pride-in a way of his ancestors long ago.

Ladd is well known throughout the powwow country and many times it is he who is asked to open a particular ceremony.

We welcome Boye Ladd with enthusiasm and appreciation for his contribution to this paper and to you our readers, for his column, "On the Powwow Trail".

By Boye Ladd

One of the first major spring powwows of the new season is the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College Powwow (SIFC), hosed annually, every third weekend of March. Their powwow continues to attract some of the biggest names in the powwow world. This year SIFC was host to over 420 registered dancers, 28 drums and over 3,000 spectators in attendance.

The dancing rivalry of the champions continues to develop a positive attitude in pride, dedication and sportsmanship for the new generation. The powwow world has become more than a profession. But a way of life. Powwow arenas are common ground for all Indian people to come together. Music and dance is a universal language that everyone appreciates and respects.

Throughout North America, there are about 16 powwow circuits, all hosting celebrations and powwows year round. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Northern Manitoba overlap three circuits to create perhaps one of the toughest and most prestigious circuits of today. On e of the primary reasons for the attraction of the champions is because of the calibre of singing groups that reside in this area. Names like Chiniki Lake, Stoney Park, High Noon, Bobtain, Battle Creek, Eagle Whistle, Mandaren and Badlands are just a few of the regular champion singing groups that are singing every weekend.

At Regina, the champions entered the new season with the usual new costumes and new footwork. There are individuals who continue to dominate their respective categories due to their dedication, practice and strife to achieve.

In the Ladies Fancy Shawl division, Lisa Rwack and Irene Goodwill continue to dominate. Their dancing ability continues to epitomize a championship style unequalled since the introductory of fancy shawl to the powwow world.

The Mens' Grass Dance division is also dominated by Jonathon Windy Boy and Darryl Goodwill, instilled by tradition, they have developed a champion style that continues to highlight all powwows.

The masters of ceremonies for the SIFC powwow were Gordon Morriseau of Sioux Valley, Manitoba and Ivan McNabb of Gordons Reserve, Saskatchewan, in activities held before the powwow. Celeste Tootoosis was selected as Miss SIFC Powwow Princess.

For the Boys: the odd couple is no more, since dad moved to Princess Street, it was good to see and hear Chiniki Lake in full force at Regina. For "Sonny," circles aren't complete without youHere's hoping for a speedy recovery, our hearts are with "the doctor" Bill and Pat Adams.

Results

Girls' Fancy (Ages 16 & under)

1st ? Jolene Redman, Standing Buffalo, Sask.

Girls' Traditional (Age 17 & under)

1st ? Kisheypesim Ahenekew, Shellbrook, Sask.

Boys' Fancy (16 & under)

1st - Terrance Goodwill, Carlyle, Sask.

Boys' Traditional (Ages 16 & under)

1st ? Jason Daniels, Sturgeon Lake, Sask.

Ladies' Team Dance

1st ? Lisa Meeches Team

Mens' Team Dance

1st ? Gerald Baptist Team

Ladies' Fancy (Ages 17 & over)

1st ? List Ewak, Carlyle, Sask.

Ladies' Jingle Dress (Ages 17 & over)

1st ? Claudia Adams, Poplar, Montana

Ladies' Traditional (Ages 17 & over)

1st ? Linda Standing, Sioux Valley, Ma.

Ladies Golden Age (Ages 50 & over)

1st ? Betty Bear, North Battleford, Sask.

Mens' Golden Age (Ages 50 & over)

1st ? Walter Bull, Little Pine, Sask.

Mens' Fancy (Ages 17 & over)

1st ? Roy Bison, Regina, Sask.