Grand River Powwow 2011: Photos and Video

#PowwowWednesday! The 32nd Annual Grand River Champion of Champions Powwow took place this past weekend in Ohsweken with over 200 dancers from Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the U.S.

The Hamilton Spectator interviewed 70-year old Evenlyn White Eyes in Generations of dance at Grand River Powwow:

White Eyes, who is from the Walpole Island First Nation, continues to attend the powwow each year because it affirms that their tradition is “alive and well.”

“I just think that (it’s) the perpetuity of what we do, preserving our way and (we’re) happy to show it to people who are interested instead of the stereotypical (images) you see on TV,” said the dancer, who participated in the women’s traditional category.

“There’s a lot of people who still think we live in teepees … What we want to perpetuate is the real thing. This is the real thing.”

Ain't that the truth? The real thing. Our traditions, our culture, are not trapped in the past - they are current, active and alive.

Check out the whole photo gallery here: Grand River Powwow.

Fast Deer Video captured much of the weekend on video - with short interviews and many of the dances and drummers:

Tansi Oleg for keeping the camera rolling!

See you next week for another #powwowwednesday.