On June 4, 2026, teachers and students from the after-school Powwow Group at Biidaaban were bused to Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) in M’Chigeeng. The bus arrived, and student dancers began preparing, donning their regalia for the Grand Entry at 11 a.m. The Powwow was led by Rachel Goodfellow, an MSS staff member. Neighbouring schools and community members were welcomed to attend, and the event was supported by a substantial turnout!
Biidaaban Grade 4/5 Teachers, Jason and Pamela Solomon, along with Educational Assistant Charly Southwind, set up a sunshade for their students; a welcome relief from the scorching sun shining brightly upon the Powwow grounds. As dancers, drummers, students, teachers, and onlookers poured onto the Powwow grounds occupying the field behind the school, and the excitement began building momentum, matching the rising beat and intensity of the drummers’ warm-up songs.
The Powwow grounds were surrounded by forest. Area schools and visitors arrived in clusters and gathered around the circle, setting up shade shelters or settling in groups. Dignitaries, police services, and dancers from various communities throughout the region set up around the perimeter of the circle, wherever comfortable. Generations – from babes in arms to Grandparents-- were present to participate in and enjoy the Powwow! As introductions and welcome greetings were made, dancers were invited to line up in the customary order: assembling oldest to youngest (so younger ones learn from the older/experienced ones), beginning with the men/boys and followed by the women/girls, starting with traditional dress dancers, followed up by jingle, grass, and fancy shawl dancers. Dancers were invited to enter through the Eastern Door of the arena, and as they assembled there, their excitement and nervous jitters grew in anticipation of their performance. The drums beat rhythmically in the background, echoing within the nearby trees; their deliberate sound creating a focused and inviting space that draws everyone in. Faces around the cordoned circle revealed smiles, and eyes wide and alight with intrigue, amazement, and wonder at the myriad colours, the jingles, and the swirling, vibrantly coloured cloth and ribbons of the regalia dancing freely around the circle. The event, a living history, unfolded before us --beautiful, honourable, traditional -- flooding all of the senses simultaneously.
Head veteran, Howard Debassige, was the Flag Bearer of the M’Chigeeng First Nation eagle staff; Taylor from Aundeck Omni Kaning (AOK) was the Emcee for the Powwow, and Sunset was the Arena Director. The Powwow opened with a warm welcome to all in attendance and a land acknowledgment of the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples as the stewards who have protected this land since time immemorial. Opening words were shared by MSS Principal, David Wiwchar. Jean Debassige, a retired MSS teacher and current school Trustee, offered the opening prayer in Anishinaabemowin. Several drum groups performed during the powwow, and Biidaaban’s Mr. Jason Solomon and student Cruz participated with their group, Black Bull Moose, in the opening honour song. Once the opening procession was complete, guests entered the circle when the time was right for them, to share in the togetherness and gifts of the Creator in the outdoor arena – the sun, the sky, the grass, the trees, the birds, the water behind us. Miigwech, miigwech, miigwech, we acknowledged with mind, body and spirit united. The drums, the songs, the dances, the enjoyment continued. Spot dances were held with random winners receiving gift cards and prizes, and the festivities carried on into the afternoon.
Pamela and Jason Solomon, community members and teachers at Biidaaban, have been offering an after-school Powwow Club for several years. Beginning in January, Pamela said, “It is about offering a fun, safe space for students to come out and have fun dancing” while absorbing whatever they take in about Powwow traditions, protocol, etc. “Everyone is welcome even if you’re not a dancer,” Pamela emphasized, adding “Many sit and just observe, and eventually students join when comfortable.” She went on to explain how her and Jason’s two oldest daughters, Acadia (woodland and jingle dress dancer) and Nyssa (fancy shawl dancer), have been coming out to the after-school program to share the jingle dress teachings passed on to them by their grandmother, Eleanor Pine Baa. The group learns a variety of dances, including feather pickup, two-step, round dance, and more. Pamela said that they approached MSS about bringing the Biidaaban dancers to their Powwow, and the response was ‘the more the merrier.’
Their group of 40+ dancers also attended the Espanola High School Spring Powwow in May and will perform at the upcoming Biidaaban Powwow on June 19. The after-school group has grown over the years, seeing more and more younger dancers/participants coming out! Pamela reminds students that they can join at anytime. Both she and Jason, along with their family, enjoy helping students to learn about and have fun taking part in this ancestral practice. Miigwech to them for their dedication, for sharing knowledge about Powwow dancing and protocol, and for creating a fun, safe space for students to engage with and learn more about this timeless tradition. The Biidaaban student dancers provided a wonderful addition to the Powwows they participated in, danced beautifully, and conducted themselves respectfully on each occasion. They represented Sagamok and Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik reverently in their beautifully designed regalia, presenting their individuality through their dance, as well as their school community's cohesiveness by being aware of one another, supporting one another, and interacting together while dancing within the circle. The students’ attentiveness and respectful listening towards Mr. & Mrs. Solomon was exceptional, and they all thoroughly enjoyed the outing together with their classmates. Miigwech to the students for their commitment to the Powwow Group, for the learning students gained in this cultural setting, and for being positive ambassadors of Biidaaban.
