FNMI Event Reflection: Experience at the Powwow Festival - GNED 1473

This report is a reflection on attending the Powwow festival in Toronto in April 2019, as part of a GNED 1473 assignment. The student details the event's focus on celebrating the Summer Solstice and National Aboriginal Day, highlighting the participation of thousands in traditional dances, music, food, and crafts. The report includes information about the event's organization, presenters, and the various activities. The student shares their learning experiences, including cultural etiquettes and insights into the regalia, and the profound feelings of unity and tradition experienced. The reflection concludes with questions regarding non-native participation and competition criteria, demonstrating a deeper engagement with the cultural event. The report references multiple sources to support the information provided.

Running head: FNMI EVENT ATTENDED
FNMI EVENT ATTENDED
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Name of Event and Location
I attended the famous Powwow festival in Toronto during the month of April in 2019.
Date Attended
It was a three-day long festival that started from 25th April and continued till the 27th
(powwows.com, 2020).
Topic of the Event
It was held by several Native communities of America and hosted by Na-Me-Res in
recognition of the Summer Solstice and National Aboriginal Day. The event focused on a social
gathering of thousands of people who participated in the celebration and enjoy traditional food
items at the same time. More than a hundred drummers performed along with dancers and
singers. The event comprised of mainly dance competitions where one could perform a range of
traditional dances and music. I also had the opportunity to meet the crafters and sellers of First
Nations, explore the information kiosks as well as take part in several giveaways and activities
(nameres.org, 2020).
Name and Details of the Presenters
The planning of this grand festival begins almost a year before the event. The Powwow
committee is a group of individuals who organizes this event with the help of sponsors from
different areas who can offer insurance, startup funds and free volunteers. These sponsors can be
a college, a tribe or any organization or even a member of the committee. The other presenters of
this event included the head staff, who runs the event; the arena director, who is the person in
charge for the organization of all kinds of activities held in the event; and the MC or Master of

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Ceremonies, who acts as the voice of the event by delivering information to the public and
keeping them entertained (Historytoday.com, 2020)
Summary of the Event
On the day of the Powwow festival, a series of huge circles were set up. It consisted of a
center circle which was meant for the dance arena, followed by larger circles that had the MC’s
table, the group of drummers, resting areas for dancers and their families. The spectators were
allotted the space beyond these circles, which also consisted of stalls that sold traditional foods,
leather, jewelry, arts and crafts, beadwork and souvenirs. Once the Grand Entry of the Eagle
Staff was over, traditional dancing and drumming continued for the rest of the day along with
gathering of aboriginal communities. The shared feast included traditional food items like meat
tacos and corn soup with bannock (toronto.ca, 2020).
Learning from this Event
I learned certain etiquettes in this event regarding the rules of photography and the Grand
Entry’s protocol. I also learned that clothes worn by participants are not costumes but known as
regalia. Certain rules apply for basic courtesy like the drums should not be played or even
touched by spectators without permissions.
Feelings Experienced
What I really liked about this festival is that I was bound to move and stir to the beats of
the drums and traditional music. The energy and unity of the event touched and lifted up my
spirit. It was a healing experience and taught me the value of traditions.

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Questions possessed by me
But this event left me with some questions in my mind like whether a non-native person
is allowed to join the celebrations and what criteria is required for taking part in the
competitions.

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References
Annual Traditional Pow Wow — Native Men's Residence. Nameres.org. (2020). Retrieved 17
April 2020, from https://www.nameres.org/annual-traditional-pow-wow/.
Cambrian College Pow Wow. Pow Wow Calendar. (2020). Retrieved 17 April 2020, from
http://calendar.powwows.com/events/categories/pow-wows/pow-wows-in-ontario/.
Toronto, C., Enjoy, E., Events, F., & Festival, I. (2020). Indigenous Arts Festival. City of
Toronto. Retrieved 17 April 2020, from https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-
events/indigenous-arts-festival/.
Toronto’s Pow Wow | History Today. Historytoday.com. (2020). Retrieved 17 April 2020, from
https://www.historytoday.com/archive/toronto%E2%80%99s-pow-wow.