BZA holds 36th annual powwow

BZA – Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek is holding its 36th annual powwow this weekend with the theme of “Honouring our history.” 

The Powwow started at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the community's temporary powwow grounds located at Royal Windsor Lodge. 

“This is our new lands. So, we incorporated that as new beginnings. Our other powwow grounds are being worked on. So, this year we had to have it at Royal,” said Maryann Mickelson, community health director and family well-being worker. 

“We kind of have a lot more room here for vendors and dancers, camping, tents. It's going to be a good weekend I hope.” 

To keep focus on the Every Child Matters movement, the powwow celebrated Indigenous youth and had them lead during the grand entry ceremony Something Chief Gladys Thompson said was great to see. 

“It's really good to see them actually, because I don't get to see the youth often because I'm too busy in the office or going to a meeting and stuff,” she said. “But today it's just like, whoa, wow, it makes me feel young again.” 

In attendance of this year's powwow was Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois who said that the welcoming from the community has been very warm. 

“It's been so lovely and I've been here before and met with the whole Council and they were so welcoming as well,” she said. “It's just a very good feeling and I'm also honoured to have the role to be able to represent people” 

The powwow continues on Sunday at 1 p.m. when the community will hold its contest dances.