"Everything is looking amazing," said Wikwemikong Heritage Organization cultural programming manager Cynthia Bell.
Although the date of its revival is marked this year with pride, the heritage of the Wiky powwow actually stretches far back into the mists of time—before it was suppressed by overzealous Indian agents bent on a policy of assimulation.
"We have a letter here from Duncan Campbell Scott dated from the 1920s," said Ms. Bell. "In his letter he speaks of how the Natives are becoming more radical with their dances. His direction was to stop them and to continue with the policy of assimilation. He told the agent that any hall where dancing took place was to be fumigated to prevent the spread of disease."
Under the pressure of generations of policies designed to stamp them out, traditional Native dances and singing were driven underground and almost harried to extinction.
The names of the founders of the new Wikwemikong powwow ring out like heroic beacons in Wikwemikong's recent history. People like the late Rosemary Fisher, Wilfred Peltier, Justin Manitowabi, Blanche Jacko, Helena Trudeau and Cecil King just to name a few.
The event normally attracts about 80 drummers and 80 singers along with 300 dancers who step lively in one of the most competitive cultural festival competitions in the country. "This year we are hoping to attract a whole lot more," said Ms. Bell.
This year the events will follow a more traditional pattern, with action through the night onto the early morning hours. "The agenda has no set times," said Ms. Bell. "There will be singing and dancing at 4 am, maybe even 5 am." At that point, one might as well stay up to greet the light at the sunrise ceremonies. "It's going to be a blast," she said.
There will be an art show on the grounds this year, and a Carribean steel drum band will do a little musical cultural exchange before the fireworks start on Sunday night.
As usual, there will be a huge assortment of vendors on hand, offering traditional and authentic handmade Native arts and crafts—no Chinese imports or Taiwanese knockoffs need apply.
As usual drugs and alcohol are banned from the event, as are dogs.
The ban against dogs has a deeper connection to Anishinaabe traditions than simply a prohibition on pets for health and safety reasons—there is a spiritual connection tracing back to the days when man and wolf walked side-by-side.
There will also be a new and enforced parking regime, with parking on Kaboni Road banned. "It could take more than 15 minutes just to get out of the grounds (because of cars parked along the sides of the roads)," said Ms. Bell.
For reasons of public safety, parking will be restricted to designated areas this year.
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