Mattagami celebrates their 12th annual Powwow

Mattagami First Nation hosted its 12th Annual Pow Wow on August 15 and 16, with a great turnout of family, friends and visitors.

In an opening address, Chief Jennifer Constant thanked the community for their support, the Pow Wow planning committee for their hard work, volunteers for joining in and all the performers, singers and dancers for being part of this year’s event.

“A powwow is more than an event on a calendar. It is a coming together of generations. It is a place where our young people can see themselves in our culture, where our Elders can share their knowledge, where families reconnect, and where we celebrate who we are as Anishinaabe people,” said Chief Constant.

The gathering was held on newly landscaped Pow Wow grounds on Friday evening and all day Saturday. The event was then moved to the indoor gymnasium due to rain on Sunday.

A Pow Wow committee led the planning of this year’s event, including First Nation Councilor Kourtney Baulne, First Nation Councilor Sue Prince, Dorothy Naveau, Sam McKenzie, Tessa Thomas, April Naveau and Sydney Constant.

“We couldn’t have done this without the help, support and organization of so many people, including our planning committee and all the volunteers that worked hard this weekend. There were no major problems and we were happy with how everything came together,” said Councilor Baulne.

The event keeps growing every year and there was a notable increase in the number of vendors, visitors and performers who took part.

“We are happy to host so many visitors this year and it’s great to see our Pow Wow grow every year with more people,” commented Dorothy Naveau.

Many vendors lined the PowWow grounds during the event, selling traditional crafts and products and providing food and drinks. On Sunday, vendors moved to the community arena because of rain. A community feast was held on Saturday evening featuring locally harvested food, including moose, deer, and fish, all prepared by head cooks Larry Naveau, Jessica Naveau, and Dan Secord. An evening feast on Friday and breakfast buffets on both days were led by past Chief Gary Naveau and his wife Darlene Naveau.

The organizers focused on supporting youth participation, especially within their home community.

“It feels good to see so many more young people wanting to join these gatherings by becoming dancers but also in making their own regalia. Several new youth joined this tradition through their first ceremonial events this year,” said Sue Prince, First Nation Council member and traditional dancer.

Several Elders arrived from the Wabun and Mushkegowuk territory in northeastern Ontario to show their support. Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin also arrived on Sunday to take part in the gathering with his family. Deputy Grand Chief Metatawabin arrived in Mattagami FN after visiting the Apitipi Anicinapek Nation Annual Pow Wow, near Matheson, which was held on the same weekend.

“We wanted to take this time to bring our grandchildren to see the Pow Wows in Abitibi and here in Mattagami. These events are important for our people to get together, especially for our young people. It just feels good to see everyone, to meet those we haven’t seen in a long time and to see grandchildren taking part, having fun and celebrating our culture and heritage,” said Deputy Grand Chief Metatawabin.

This year’s event was titled with the theme ‘Manaaji’idiwin’, meaning ‘respecting all of creations’. The event was led by Arena Director Elwood Ashawasega, of Henvey Inlet FN and Emcee Greg Dreaver (Mista Wasis), of Treaty Six territory in Saskatchewan. Drum groups included High Ridge from Moose Factory and the Timmins-based Spirit Singers, which included singers from several Mushkegowuk First Nations.

Head Elders were Elder Leonard Naveau and Elder Lorraine Naveau, who both provided opening prayers and led in ceremonies during the Pow Wow. Head Veteran was Tara Gull; Head Dancers were Gabinien Kioki and Gillian Prince; Head Youth Dancers were Terell Thomas and Tatum Naveau. A traditional teepee was set up to contain a sacred fire for the duration of the event. A group of firekeepers kept watch over the fire, including Justin Trepanier, Chance Joseph, Ethan Marcus, Arron ‘Zerk’ Naveau, Wyatt McKay, and Max Naveau.

This year’s Pow Wow event included plenty of opportunities to share traditional teachings throughout the two-day event. Daily traditional Sunrise Ceremonies were led by Traditional Teacher Marilyn Debassige of Mnjikaning FN, with support from Clarice Pangowish and John Naveau.

Vittorio Arcieri of DJ Pristine in Timmins provided audio technical services.

Sponsors for this year’s event included Migzi (Eagle) Sponsors: Mattagami Child Youth Well Being Department, Mattagami AKI and Northern College. Ma’iingan (Wolf) Sponsors included: Mattagami Smoke Shop, Olthuis Kleer Townshend, Ontario Power Generation, Presentex Canada Inc, TD Canada Trust, Hydro One, Canada Nickel Company and Watershed 144. Niigig (Otter) Sponsors included: Mattagami Yard Services, J&L Lakeview Retreat, Amik Logging, KIA Motors Timmins, Ontario Northland, Maison Funeraire Lessard, Ojibway & Cree Cultural Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre, Discovery Porcupine, IAMGOLD – Cote Gold, NPLH Drilling, Tisdale Buslines and Pioneer. Meal Ticket Sponsors included R.Constant Services, Q.W Carpentry and Minakwa Lodge.

The gathering hosted community members as well as visitors and performers from throughout northern Ontario. Mattagami FN provided bus transportation for visitors from Timmins on the first day and a smaller transport on Sunday.