International powwow returns to Red Deer

The International Powwow Times Gathering made its grand return to Red Deer this past weekend.

The second annual edition of the event began on Friday at Westerner Park and concluded on Sunday.

“Powwows are about celebrating culture,” said Diane Gardipy, powwow committee member and Elders coordinator.

“This brings together people from all indigenous communities in North America. The powwow is about song and dance, as well as celebrating our languages ​​and practices.”

Gardipy has lived in Red Deer for 17 years. She said powwows have become more prominent in central Alberta over the last four years or so.

“It is important to share our culture in central Alberta so that there is an understanding of who we are as a people and what our culture is about,” he said.

“Powwows are for everyone. They are an indigenous cultural event, but everyone is welcome to a powwow.”

The Times International Gathering Powwow was a competitive powwow, Gardipy explained.

“The dancers, the drummers and the crowd come to give their best,” he said.

“As a town we want to come celebrate because it makes us feel good. This is who we are and these are our traditions and practices: this is what we do. We like to listen to our music, we like to dance, we like to witness everyone’s badges.”

The first international Powwow Times meeting was held in 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions were still in place. Some 5,000 people attended the opening ceremony…