Singers, dancers, and drummers from B.C., Alberta, and the U.S. filled the Langley Events Centre for the second annual stɑl̓əw̓ pow wow cultural event.
Organized by the stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society, which is based on Kwantlen First Nation land in Fort Langley, the event’s name translates to “big river” in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language, a reference to the Fraser River and its role in the Indigenous communities living along its shores.
Lindsay Foreman, project consultant at the society, said this year's pow wow has been "amazing."
"We've had lots of great feedback from dancers, drum groups, attendees, and vendors. Everything seems really positive this year. We have dancers and drum groups coming from all over the West Coast," she said.
Word of the local pow wow is even reaching the East Coast, so Foreman anticipates dancers from Ontario will join next year's event.
Saturday's Red Dress and Orange Shirt – meant to honour missing and lost Indigenous women and children, and survivors of residential schools – specials had an increased attendance, Foreman shared.
Dancers perform at Langley pow wow on Saturday pic.twitter.com/gMZZ7xZFTe
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) September 15, 2024
"The last couple years, attendance always seems to be the busiest that afternoon for those specials, and the timing is important too because of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is coming up."
Phyllis Atkins, manager at the stɑl̓əw̓ society, said it hopes to use the pow wow as a platform to bring attention to issues impacting Indigenous communities.
“With everything the Indigenous communities have been through, we try to support each other and bring awareness to non-Indigenous communities, because we need to work together – we can’t do this alone,” Atkins said.
Over the weekend, dancers, singers, and drummers of all ages are competing against each other for prize money. Each day concludes with a Closing of Colours ceremony.
The pow wow is a public event, Foreman noted, and the society is already making plans and seeking sponsorships for the 2025 pow wow.
"We don't profit off of this, all the money goes back to the dancers and drum groups. We do this to support the culture," Foreman explained.
The tiny tots category will have kids six and younger perform, and the junior class will feature dancers between ages seven and 12. Teenagers and those between 18 and 54 will have a separate category, too.
Artists aged 55-plus will participate under the golden age category. Atkins shared that the head staff will judge the regalia of the group members, in addition to the dance moves or drum beats.
All except kids six and younger will compete for prize money.
In addition to the various cultural programming, stɑl̓əw̓ will be hosting 50-plus Indigenous vendors and two food trucks present, all providing authentic Indigenous food, art and crafts for purchase.
The final day of the weekend-long event is Sunday, Sept. 15.
Doors open to the public at noon, and begins with a Blessing of Floor ceremony by Grass Dancers, followed by a grand entry and opening remarks by the Katzie First Nation.
The pageant and crowning takes place at 1:30 p.m., as well as the Golden Age contest and Tiny Tots, among others.
A full schedule of events can be viewed at stalewpowwow.ca.
Stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society describes itself as “a registered, Indigenous and women-lead non-profit organization” that is “dedicated to advocacy and empowering Indigenous artists living in Coast Salish territories in order to share their gifts.”
It’s focus is “to foster nationhood and to support the rebuilding of Indigenous communities, particularly through the development of opportunities in the arts, culture and language.”
