Visitors travel to Regina for 45th annual FNUniv Spring Celebration Powwow
Visitors from across the province and beyond travelled to Regina for the 45th annual First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) Spring Powwow.
The competition event regularly brings in powwow drum groups from across North America, making it an exciting contest for spectators.
Henry Gardipy has been a member of the Wild Horse drum group since the mid 1990’s. Over that span, he has sung with over five different groups of singers under the Wild Horse name.
For Gardipy, powwow singing is closely tied with family lineage.
“It’s generational. Today, a lot of singers are born into this way of life,” he said.
Treian Whitehead has been singing powwow since he was six years old. He is a member of the Thunder Dancing Horse drum group and attributes singing to giving him a better life.
“Drumming has been amazing. It takes me places I never thought I would go in my life. Getting that skill set of singing, it opens up a lot of doors for not only me, but the people I sing with,” Whitehead said.
Cherish Jean-Baptiste, the chair of the FNUniv Powwow committee said getting talented drum groups to come and perform is an engagement built on respect. The drum is a significant object signifying the beat of Mother Earth and must be given the appropriate respect.
“Without the singers coming, we wouldn’t be able to host this beautiful celebration. This is why it’s very important to have singers come and treat them well while they’re here,” Jean-Baptiste said.
For many years, the FNUniv powwow was one of the first events of the year where singers and dancers could get active after the winter season.
Whitehead hopes to see new faces joining the powwow circle this year.
“If you’re starting out singing and you’re a beginner, I encourage you to keep going. Keep pushing through,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.