After a two-year hiatus, the Quesnel Tillicum Society’s annual Memorial Pow Wow got underway with a grand entry on Saturday, October 8.
Dancers donned beautiful regalia made with buckskin, feathers, bones, beads and more as their feet touched artificial turf at the Quesnel Indoor Sports Centre.
Lhtako Dene Nation elder Ellie Peters provided an opening prayer, welcoming everyone.
“I’m going to ask the Creator and ancestors to be with us for two days,” she said, asking them to provide everyday strength for all, including those suffering from homelessness and addictions.
Among the dancers helping lead the grand entry was Mike Retasket with the Shuswap Nation, who lives in Deep Creek.
“I’m just very happy to be here to be able to help heal and be a part of that healing process with the region,” said Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation.
The annual Memorial Pow Wow honouring the resiliency of community members and in memory of children that never came home continues Sunday, Oct. 9.
There is no cost to attend.
“Dance hard — dance for those who can’t be here and dance for those that dance before us,” said Williams Lake First Nation councillor Dancing Water Sandy.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.