Hundreds gather to celebrate culture at annual Squamish Nation Youth Powwow

Energy was high at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre Sunday afternoon as dozens of Indigenous communities came together to celebrate culture, traditions and music at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Youth Powwow.

Energy was high at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre Sunday afternoon as dozens of Indigenous communities came together to celebrate culture, traditions and music at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Youth Powwow. The annual powwow, held July 10-12, brought performers in across the country and Washington state. Cash prizes were given as dancers competed across multiple categories.

This year’s event drew in nearly 3,000 people over the weekend, said Squamish Nation Youth Powwow head chair and president Simon Baker. And that’s something to celebrate. “The vibe has been amazing,” Baker said.

“Everybody has said how amazing we’ve grown and how we’ve put this together.” Crowds were filled with excitement Sunday. People sat on the edge of their seats while others took a stand watching the dancers, clapping and cheering throughout.

Dozens of vendors were also on site, selling food, clothing, jewelry and other goods. Baker and the committee have been organizing the powwow for the last four years, but the event has been happening for over three decades. Before, his auntie Tenalh-t (Gloria “Honeygirl” Nahanee) was carrying on the powwow for many years.

For Baker, who is Squamish, Cree and Haida, it’s been a blessing to carry it on. “It’s something about powwow, it is a tool for our Indigenous people for healing and coming together,” he said. “But [also] non-Indigenous now.

We have opened up the door for everybody to come and see and be a part of our culture. That’s the importance of powwow.” Baker’s daughter Nevaeh Lewis-Baker was one of the many who performed Sunday.

She led a team dance, where those all in the women’s categories performed together. “I’m so happy to see every year that more and more people come from far and wide to share this celebration with us,” Lewis-Baker said. “It’s shared culture, which I just love that we’re able to share and experience together.

It’s a beautiful thing.” Lewis-Baker has been attending powwows for as long as she can remember. Now 16, it’s made an impact.

“I’m grateful to be able to be proud and hold with high confidence in myself and to love the dance that I do,” she said. “I’m so grateful that I’ve grown up with powwow in my life and the culture that surrounds me.... It’ll always be a big part of my identity.”

Being proud of who you are is a message Baker hopes people take away from the powwow. “We’ve been oppressed long enough, we don’t need to oppress ourselves,” Baker said. “We need to step forward and tell each other we’re proud of each other.”

Baker said he hopes those who aren’t Indigenous feel welcome and come away with a new perspective. “The doors are open. We are wanting people to understand who we are, why we fought for so long to keep our culture, to keep that alive.

We’re here, we’re vibrant and we’re starting to thrive.”