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In-depth

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Contents Feature - Rhythm of nations Dancing down under Powwow summer Capital powwow Origin of power Born to dance Make your own dreamcatcher Cartographer's table Games CG vault Re:sources

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Hundreds of First Nations communities across Canada will celebrate their heritage this summer by participating in powwows. Drumbeats, wailing voices and the tinkle of ceremonial jingle dresses will ring out under the sun in every part of the land. Here's a tiny sample of where the drums are beating across the country this summer.

There is no shortage of powwows in Eastern Canada. The Mi'kmaq people will celebrate their heritage at their 9th annual Traditional Powwow, from July 1 to 4 in Conne River, Nfld. Some lucky visitors will receive gifts of household items, crafts or blankets from community members during the Giveaway ceremony.

In Western Canada, the drums of the 25th annual Kamloops Powwow — British Columbia's biggest — will thunder near Kamloops from July 30 to August 1. Visitors will experience one of the largest powwow facilities in Canada, says Delyla Daniels, president of the Kamloops Powwow Society. For a bit of history, they can also visit the nearby Secwepemc Museum and Heritage Park to learn the story of the Shuswap people. A dance competition is planned in honour of the 25th anniversary of the event, allowing competitors to dance in every category.

If you think your traditional singing might be worth big money, the Spirit of the North Competition Powwow may be your chance to shine. It will be the first competition powwow hosted by the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and the Nelson House Medicine Lodge, and they're starting with a bang: the top prize in the singing contest is a minimum of $5,000! The powwow takes place August 13 to 15 in Nelson House, about 45 minutes northwest of Thompson. Visitors will hear world-champion drum groups, says powwow chairman Kevin Hart. As an added bonus, this year's spectators will be the first to experience the new powwow arbour currently under construction.

End the summer — and the powwow trail — with the Canadian Aboriginal Festival. The largest event of its kind in Canada, it takes place November 26 to 28 at Toronto's SkyDome. The festival's centrepiece is an enormous powwow attracting hundreds of dancers. The 6th annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards will take place during the festival.

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