Walpole Island First Nation will host its 32nd annual Spring Pow-wow on May 16 and 17 at the Walpole Island Sports Complex Fairgrounds.
The event will take place at 770 Tecumseh Rd. and will feature grand entries on Saturday at noon and 6 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Organizers said the grass dance ceremony will begin each day.
Admission to attend is free.
The host drum for this year’s pow-wow will be Snake Island Singers from Aamjiwnaang/Peterborough.
Miigwaans Snake and Gordon Nicotine Sands will serve as emcee and co-emcee.
Head veteran duties will be carried out by Walker Stonefish, USMC, of Bkejwanong Territory. Talon Whiteye of Aamjiwnaang/Bkejwanong will serve as senior head male dancer, while Beedoskah Stonefish of Bkejwanong/Grand Traverse will serve as senior head female dancer. Tyler White of Bkejwanong will be the arena director.
Special events scheduled throughout the weekend include Buck’s Dancing Out on Saturday at 2 p.m., the Youth Bustle Special at 3 p.m., the Altiman Memorial Dance at 4 p.m., and the Hand Drum and Owl (Couples) Dance at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday events include the Baby Pageant at 1:30 p.m., the BYC Dance Special at 2:30 p.m. and the Smoke Dance at 3:30 p.m.
Organizers said all singing groups require a minimum of five exclusive singers at registration.
Attendees are encouraged to bring camping chairs, while bleachers will also be available on site. Organizers said Interac or e-transfer payments are preferred and parking will be available at the mall, arena and along the roadside.
Camping will be limited to tents only and showers will be available on site Saturday and Sunday. Organizers noted there are no electrical or water hookups available.
Accommodations are available in Wallaceburg, Sarnia, Chatham and Sombra.
Organizers also advised that no personal or private fundraising raffles, tables or booths will be permitted at the event.
For more information, contact Stacey Nahdee at walpoleisp@hotmail.com, by phone at 226-627-9133, or through Facebook.
