Kamloopa Powwow organizers apologize after outrage due to identity-based event rules | Radio NL
, 2022-07-14 02:00:00,
Kamloopa Powwow (Photo via Kamloopa Powwow Society)
Kamloopa Powwow organizers have apologized after significant public outrage over some of the rules in place for the annual event that begins in two weeks.
In a video on TikTokKairyn Potts, a two-spirited Nakota Sioux member, took issue with the requirement that all contestants must be at least one-fourth native.
“That means the Kamloopa Powwow is enacting literal colonization tactics, amount of blood, to limit the number of people who can join the Powwow,” Potts said in the video.
Potts also took issue with the requirement that all dancers be in full regalia during the grand entrance and that they “be the correct gender” for the category they are entering.
“This is really so heartbreaking and a huge step back for our community,” Potts added.
“The Kamloopa Powwow committee really has no problem with allowing all young people who are two spirit or transgender or non-binary or any of these gender diversities who are not allowed to come. They can’t dance.”
While the Kamloopa Powwow is held on Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc territory, it is not organized by the First Nation. The Kamloopa Powwow Society did not return calls from NL News on Wednesday, though apologized in a facebook video.
“My condolences to those who have been hurt and harmed in that post,” said an anonymous organizer. “The [Kamloopa Powwow Society] The board has been able to…
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