Powwow Trails – Circles for Reconciliation

With the snow melted and the arrival of Summer Solstice, the beginning of the Powwow season starts!
Throughout this season, a series of Powwows known as Powwow Trails appear among communities from coast to coast to coast across Canada. Powwows celebrate a nation’s culture, art, dance, food, songs, history, and spirituality. It also honors the resilience, strength, and revitalization of Indigenous culture.
Though Powwow dance styles vary among communities, they can often include Men’s Traditional, Men’s Grass Dance, Men’s Fancy Bustle, Men’s Prairie Chicken Dance, Northern Traditional, Women’s Jingle Dress, and Women’s Fancy Shawl.
Additionally, Powwows can act as a bridge between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Most Powwows are open to anyone wanting to participate and are a great place to learn more about a nation and celebrate alongside them. Through building these relationships and learning from one another, this reciprocity aids in propelling reconciliation.
Although this is a celebration, Powwow etiquette does exist to maintain respect. This includes asking permission before taking pictures, not touching items without asking permission, and standing and removing hats during special songs (such as Grand Entry, Flag Songs, Memorial Songs, Prayer Songs, or any other song indicated by the announcer.) Additionally, doing extra research and asking questions is always a great idea!
Are you interested in attending a Powwow in your area? Check out a few Powwows that are happening this summer!

The Winnipeg administrative offices of Circles for Reconciliation are on Treaty 1 territory – the traditional land of the Ininiw (Cree), Anishinábé (Ojibwé), Anisininew (Ojibwé Cree), Dakota and Dene people, as well as the Birthplace of the Métis Nation and the Heart of the Métis Homeland. Circles for Reconciliation is an Indigenous-led non-profit corporation, with at least 51 % of our Board of Directors being peoples of First Nation, Inuit, or Métis status. Circles for Reconciliation is a registered charity, registration no. 748256930 RR 0001.
Circles for Reconciliation is grateful for all who have joined the journey to reconciliation on the traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. We acknowledge that Tkaronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa Bands. As of October 31, 2023, we sadly had to lay off the Toronto Team due to severe lack of funding. Our Winnipeg team will continue to address the waiting registrants or hosts in this area.
Artwork by Eugene Demas. Eugene was well featured in Calgary's Bow Museum and known for his use of pencil crayons.

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The Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishinaabe

These teachings form part of our openings for all Circles.

Circles for Reconciliation Inc. recognizes that all First Nations, Métis and Inuit people have their own cultural teachings that encompass the morals and values of conduct.On page 30 of “Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future.”, it states that The Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishinaabe—Respect, Courage, Love, Truth, Humility, Honesty, and Wisdom—served as the themes for the seven National Events, and ceremony and traditional observance played an important part in the National Events. It is recognized that there are many adaptions of the teachings. We encourage each circle to adapt the Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishinaabe to the needs of their circle.

View all the guidelines that we use to ensure respectful and consistent gatherings.

LOVE: it is more important to care for one another
HONESTY: better to fail with honesty than succeed by fraud
RESPECT: give it, earn it, receive it
TRUTH: it is always easiest to speak the truth
HUMILITY: to be humble about your accomplishments is to be strong
COURAGE: let nothing stand in the way of doing the right thing
WISDOM: with hard work and dedication will come knowledge

Your support for the work of Circles would be deeply appreciated.

The Seven Sacred Teachings of the Anishinaabe

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