Pow wows are on the rise as native people rediscover their roots, and Winnipeg, MB’s Manito Ahbee—A Festival for All Nations—is at the centre of it

Pow wows are on the rise as native people rediscover their roots, and Winnipeg, MB’s Manito Ahbee—A Festival for All Nations—is at the centre of it all.

This gathering is one of the biggest, drawing over 800 dancers around the continent. Anyone can join in—just note a few dos and don’ts.

It is Manito Ahbee—“where the Creator Sits,” a sacred, secret site in southern Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park. It’s also the name of the annual continental event of Turtle Island, the Aboriginal name of North America, a 10-day meeting of native minds and hearts held in late October in Winnipeg, MB, that culminates in an explosion of wildly colourful regalia, whirling dance and pounding drums—the International Competition Pow Wow.

Pow wows are sweeping North America as native people have, in recent decades, rediscovered their history and culture. And this is one of the biggest, drawing some 800 dancers from around the continent. Manito Ahbee’s even pulling in mainstream, non-Aboriginal visitors, fascinated by the dancers’ skills and energy.

The Pow Wow’s the butter on the bannock of Métis celebration, conferences, traditional crafts marketplace, and Métis and native music at venues around downtown Winnipeg, as well as at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.

These aren’t your grandfather’s soulful chants, though; First Nations music has evolved into an audio kaleidoscope of genres from the hip hop of KrayKree to Ed Peekeekoot’s country styling.

Even so, the Pow Wow is totally traditional, and there are rules. You don’t, as I did, lie on the floor to get a good photo angle (I was admonished gently). You don’t call dancers’ clothing “costumes”—costumes mean Halloween, and these outfits are imbued with serious symbolism.

You do get swept away by the passion of the competition dances that last well into the evening. And when they call out “intertribal dance,” you get to join in—even if you’re like me, a white gal, wearing a decidedly non-festive sweatshirt and sneakers.

Source: Canadian Tourism Commission