40th year of Kamloopa Powwow celebrates western Canada's indigenous bands | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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40th year of Kamloopa Powwow celebrates western Canada's indigenous bands

KAMLOOPS - The 40th anniversary of one of Western Canada's biggest powwows is headed to the river city this weekend.

The Kamloopa Powwow welcomes drummers, dancers, artists, and performers from various bands across western Canada. The festivities begin on Friday evening and last through until Sunday, and everyone is invited to watch.

The festivities will kick off tomorrow at 7 p.m. during the grand entry. The grand entry is a moment not to be missed, as all of the dancers, drummers, and performers will enter the area in a colourful parade. On Saturday, grand entry is at 12 p.m. and again at 7 p.m., and grand entry on Sunday is at noon.

This year, the adult categories will be split into junior adults, aged 18 to 39, and senior adults, aged 40 to 59. There will also be the “Golden Age” category for events welcoming participants over 60 years of age, according to the Kamloopa Powwow Facebook page.

Adult competitions include contemporary and old-style jingle, chicken dancing, fancy shawl, and drumming. Some of the events will have competitors as young as seven years old.

The winners of the drumming competition will take home the most cash compared to any other category. The top drummer will win $10,000, followed by $8,000 for second place, with third place taking home $6,000.

There will be an art show and auction on Friday and Saturday before grand entry.

According to the event Facebook page, it is recommended that people bring cash, but there will be ATMs on-site.

Photography and video are usually allowed at the events, but asking for permission on close up shots of people or their regalia is recommended.

There will be an event to honour those who have gone through the residential school system. The powwow’s orange shawl and dress competition is born from Orange Shirt Day, inspired by a residential school survivor from a reserve near Williams Lake. According to the organization’s website, on her first day at the St. Joseph Mission residential school, Phyllis Webstad was stripped of a new orange shirt her grandmother had given her. Now, September 30 is recognized as Orange Shirt Day to show support for those who have been through the system.

Admission to the event is $10 per day or $20 for a weekend pass. Camping is available on-site at a first come first served basis, but it is noted that no mobile home hookups are available. Showers are available on site.

The event does not allow alcohol or drugs on site.

The event will be held at the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc Powwow Grounds located at 100-345 Powwow Trail.

 


To contact a reporter for this story, email Jenna Wheeler or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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