The Spirit of the Peace Powwow returns to Taylor, south of Fort St. John, this June, with three days planned to celebrate Indigenous culture and community.
It’s been 15 years since the non-profit powwow society formed, and president Connie Greyeyes says she’s looking forward to seeing everyone gathering and connecting to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s going to be nice to be able to meet again and bring the dance and the drums back to Taylor. It’s been a long time coming, it’s been so long,” said Greyeyes. “We’re really looking forward to it.”
Greyeyes says her hope is to see both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people coming together to take part in traditional dances and listen to the drummers and their songs – rekindling the feeling and spirit of community across cultures.
“We’re really hopeful that, with everything being lifted, we can bring everyone in and keep people safe, and gather together and have that good energy again,” she said, noting volunteers and sponsors have always been generous in making sure the powwow happens.
Originally from the Bigstone Cree Nation in Alberta, Greyeyes is a well-known First Nations advocate for many causes both local and national, and has attended powwows around the country. She wants the public to know that everyone in the community is welcome to attend.
“I get asked a lot about the powwow and who can come, and that ceremony that takes place is welcoming and open to everybody, Indigenous or non-Indigenous," said Greyeyes. "We welcome everybody to come and participate, to listen, to join in on the drumming, to watch the dancing, to even join in on the dancing during intertribals."
The powwow is planned to run June 10 to 12.
