Story

Piapot Powwow

January 07, 2016 | Pulitzer Center
By
Daniella Zalcman

Tribal leaders line up for the Grand Entry, a ceremony which marks the start of a powwow where the flags and eagle staffs of both the host and visiting tribes are brought into the arena. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Dancers perform at the Piapot Powwow, at Piapot First Nations in Saskatchewan, Canada. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Four men's traditional dancers process into the arena. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

A young girl watches from the edge of the arena. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

The arena at the Piapot Powwow is lined by drum groups who take turns performing throughout the day. The beat of the drums is thought to mimic the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

A traditional dancer and a grass dancer perform. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Young jingle dress dancers perform at the powwow. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

The arena at the Piapot Powwow is lined by drum groups who take turns performing throughout the day. The beat of the drums is thought to mimic the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

An elder holding an eagle fan watches from the edge of the arena. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

The arena at the Piapot Powwow is lined by drum groups who take turns performing throughout the day. The beat of the drums is thought to mimic the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

A young fancy shawl dancer watches before her turn in the arena. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Onlookers watch from the stands. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Part of Wolverine's regalia sits on the trunk of his car. Wolverine is a Metis healer. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Waiting to perform at the Piapot powwow. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Traditional dancers process into the arena. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

A young chicken dancer performs. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

The arena at the Piapot Powwow is lined by drum groups who take turns performing throughout the day. The beat of the drums is thought to mimic the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Wolverine, a Metis healer, displays his full regalia. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Wolverine, a Metis healer, displays his full regalia. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

Sunset, after the first night of the Piapot Powwow. Image by Daniella Zalcman. Canada, 2015.

The stated objective of Canada's residential schools was forced assimilation, in a system that has since been classified as cultural genocide by a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. But the Canadian government’s attempts to suppress and obliterate First Nations culture reached far beyond controlling indigenous education. The Indian Act of 1867 criminalized a variety of religious and cultural indigenous ceremonies—including powwows, potlatches, and sun dances—and the ban wasn’t lifted until 1951. Powwows are one of the most powerful symbols of First Nations identity, and the summertime ceremony and social gatherings feature dancing, singing, drumming, and feasting rooted in historical indigenous traditions. These images are from the Piapot Powwow, which took place at Piapot First Nation in Saskatchewan in August.
Powwows, along with other elements of First Nations traditions and culture such as sweat lodges, smudging, language, and faith, are returning in force to communities throughout Canada.