Kamloopa Powwow organizers apologized after its blood quantum and gender requirements were challenged online.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Kamloopa Powwow Society
July 14, 2022 - 8:57 AM
Kamloopa Powwow organizers apologized after restrictive rules for entry generated backlash online on Wednesday.
The 41st annual powwow is set to start on July 29, where dancers from various First Nations communities will compete at the Tk'emlups powwow arbour.
For dancers, the rules for entry included at least "(one-quarter) Native blood," with a possible check for tribal identification or status. Dancers are also required to be the "correct gender" for their category in order to compete.
The same rules did not apply for drummers and the princess pageant. However, pageant contestants under powwow rules must be between 13 and 17 years old, enrolled in high school, have no spouse or children, and be female.
READ MORE: 'Important opportunity': Indigenous entrepreneurs invited to Pow Wow Pitch in Kamloops
"It's my sincerest apologies to everyone who is carrying a heavy heart," powwow organizer Delyla Daniels said in a video to social media. "Today, we're more open to acknowledge our two-spirited and even who our Indigenous community is, in that it includes First Nations, Metis and the Inuit people."
Daniels explained that the rules have been in place for more than twenty years, longer than the Kamloopa Powwow Society has been organizing the event.
The quarter-blood requirement was adopted after a German man entered the contest and even "placed" in the competition. Which "upset a few people," Daniels said.
"I do not know how we're going to recover from this," she said.
The rules haven't yet been changed, but she said the organizing board met on Wednesday to discuss how it can adjust and be more welcoming to a wider group, especially for two-spirited and non-binary people.
"We are here to re-look at how we've been operating and how we can move forward in a good way, so there is no room for hurt and harm to anyone," she said.
The Kamloopa Powwow took a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its return is anticipated to attract dancers and spectators from across Canada and the western U.S.
It's set to run from July 29 to 31 at the Tk'emlups powwow grounds.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 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.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022