Photos: South Island Powwow returns for third year

Yesterday was the fourth annual Truth and Reconciliation Day, taking place Sept. 30 every year to coincide with Orange Shirt Day—a tradition that began in 2013 to honour residential school survivors.

To mark the occasion, Survivors Secretariat, representing those affected by Canada’s residential school system, released a report calling on the government to increase funding for investigating unmarked graves, provide survivors with their own records, and support memorials and public commemorations. But the most important call to action was to ensure transparency of all government and RCMP documents relating to residential schools, including those unreleased during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

At the South Island Powwow, the importance of truth in the path to reconciliation was called out by powwow emcee Francis James, who said reconciliation is impossible without full transparency.

Set against the sombre backdrop of the day, the South Island Powwow was focused on celebration, with thousands pouring into Royal Athletic Park wearing orange shirts. It’s estimated that 11K people attended this year, topping last year’s 10K turnout. A representative from Songhees First Nation told Chek News the event could be extended next year to be a multi-day affair.

Dancers from across North America were in attendance, bringing dances from multiple nations and ranging in age from the tiny “juniors” to the “golden age” performers. Dancers competed this year, with a chance to win the top $3K prize in the Ironman competition. Drum groups, including host drummers Smokey Valley and Wild River, provided the music that drove the dancers forward in the powwow circle—they also competed to win up to $5K.

An emotional moment came when residential school, day school, and Sixties Scoop survivors, and their relatives, gathered in the middle of the powwow circle, while jingle dancers moved around them.

“We wrap our relatives in love,” said James, expressing hope that the moment could bring healing.

People walk and dance around the powwow circle during the intertribal portion.

Details of regalia.

Regalia with an Elvis Presley flair.

A sea of orange shirts in the audience.

Women's fancy category.

A powwow dancer gets her hair touched up between performances.

Men's chicken category.

Host drummers take turns providing the music throughout the day.

Women's jingle category.

Residential school, day school, and Sixties Scoop survivors gather in the powwow circle with family.

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Correction: A previous version of this article stated the South Island Powwow was in its fourth year. Truth and Reconciliation Day began four years ago, and the South Island Powwow began the following year.