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Bow Valley College’s Iniikokaan Centre and the City of Calgary will again host the Canada Day Indigenous Showcase & Powwow at Prince's Island Park on Sunday, July 1.
More than 80,000 people are expected to take in this year’s event, which will offer dynamic demonstrations of traditional First Nations, Métis and Inuit culture and entertainment, with activities in the Children’s Tent and Airbrush Tattoos situated close together for family participation.
Many unique creations, such as beadwork can be viewed and purchased at the Artisan Market with local vendors. A selection of food trucks will also be on site.
Visitors are invited to sit in the Metis Trapper’s Tent and Tipis and take part in cultural teachings and sharing starting at 11 a.m. until 4:45 p.m. Children will have the opportunity to learn Métis dance steps with live fiddle music.
“This event with Bow Valley College and the City of Calgary shows our commitment to community, diversity and the relationships we have with Indigenous people in our area and Northern Canada, including this year’s guest Dene drummers. One of the drummers is from Hay River, Northwest Territories, and the other is from the Treaty 8 area” said Noella Wells, director of the Iniikokaan Centre.
The College’s Iniikokaan Centre also relies on staff member Carla Big Tobacco for her expertise and knowledge of powwows, the various dances performed by men and women and where the drums groups are located in Treaty 7.
“We have nurtured relationships with all our presenters because they include our Iniikokaan Centre Cultural Resources Elders, Indigenous educators, leaders and knowledge keepers,” said Wells. “All of the volunteers are Bow Valley College students and some of them will be participating as dancers in the powwow.”
Activities begin on the Main Stage at 11 a.m. with a Blessing from Cultural Resource Elder Keith Chiefmoon. Grand Entry will begin at 1 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.