AKWESASNE – The 16th Annual Akwesasne International Pow-Wow, took place at the A’nowara’ko:wa Arena on Cornwall Island on Saturday Sept. 10 and is a celebration of First Nation cultures.
This year, as special guests, the Tlacopan Aztec Dancers from Mexico preformed traditional dances included the Rabbit Dance and Fire Dance.
Co-chair Romaine Mitchell said, “The Pow-Wow is a cultural celebration and a gathering of First Nations People so they can spend time together.”
He also explained this Pow-Wow is a competition. “There are 263 registered dancers”, he said, “and 43 tiny tots (2 to 5 years old). They (tiny tots) are often introduced to dancing as soon as they can walk.”
The competitions for dancing included Traditional, Fancy, and Smoke dancing in males and females categories. The Jingle dance is exclusively for females, while the Grass dance is males only. As well there are Drum and Singing Competitions.
The competitors come from across the United States and Canada.
There are also vendors selling traditional crafts and homemade Native food.
The Akwesasne International Pow-Wow continued on Sunday.
