For Kristine Jack, seeing how youngsters have improved their dancing skills in the past year is a highlight of the Between The Lakes Pow Wow, the biggest First Nations cultural event in the South Okanagan.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 looking forward to seeing the young dancers that we see every year grow and become so much more creative,害羞草研究所� said Jack, an event organizer with the Four Seasons Cultural Society.
害羞草研究所淭hey practice all year. They travel to other powwows. It害羞草研究所檚 just beautiful to see the growth in the children.害羞草研究所�
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The three-day, third annual celebration of the culture and traditions of the Syilx (Okanagan) people kicks off Friday and runs throughout the weekend.
Young people are who keep Indigenous culture, tradition, language and regalia alive, Jack added.
害羞草研究所淥ur regalia has changed throughout the years and you see (that) with some of the young who are more artistic,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淭heir regalia seems to be more artistic and flamboyant. Dancers come in all shapes and sizes and all colours. It害羞草研究所檚 just beautiful to witness all the beautiful regalia.害羞草研究所�
Each dancer makes their own regalia, she added, so each outfit is unique. It takes a long time to collect the items to create.
害羞草研究所淓ach outfit is made for the dancer, so whatever you feel you need to have on your regalia to make it who you are (is used). The brightness and the feathers and the different animals that are sacrificed for certain ceremonial purposes. It害羞草研究所檚 just beautiful.害羞草研究所�
This year promises to be a bigger event than in previous years, with hundreds of dancers from across Western Canada and the United States attending to display their talent and athleticism in a variety of traditional dance and drumming competitions.
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Some of the dance specials this year include the men害羞草研究所檚 chicken battle, the two-spirited dance and the ladies jingle.
People attend a powwow for many reasons, Jack explained.
害羞草研究所淪ome come to just watch the dances, some come to bring their children to dance or family members, and then there are others who come who need it,害羞草研究所� Jack said.
害羞草研究所淭hey need the prayers. They need the significance of the powwow bringing the culture together and our First Nations communities together. There are so many prayers that are just powerful for people who feel like they need prayer right now.害羞草研究所�
This year, about 20 vendors will be on hand at the Outma Sqilx害羞草研究所橶 Cultural School on the Penticton Indian Band reserve selling handcrafted arts and crafts, so bring cash.
The grand entry kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. The first day will be all about welcoming visitors and dancers and blessing the floor with grass dances. Saturday and Sunday are when the competitions get going and the dancers compete for cash prizes.
Tickets are $5 for one day or $10 for a weekend pass. Kids under five years old get in free.
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