Rossbrook House Pow Wow 2022

Thank you to everyone who came out to dance and celebrate with the children and youth from Rossbrook House at the annual Pow Wow on May 19 in Winnipeg.

We’re also grateful to the community leaders who walked in the Grand Entry with the participants.

It’s always so wonderful to see generations dancing together.

History

The first Rossbrook Pow Wow was held in the spring of?1982 at St. Ignatius Church as a thank you to the parish for sponsoring Wi Wabigooni as an off-campus program for children in Grades 4 to6.?Wi Wabigooni students joined with the Eagles’ Circle dancers for that Pow Wow.

From those beginnings, the involvement grew to include participants at Rossbrook House as well as community dancers.

Cultural Teachings

Pow Wow practices were held at Rossbrook House for weeks prior to this event and included cultural teachings.?Patricia Mainville?and her son?Matthew?shared their teachings with the children and youth.

They learned how to give thanks to the drum group with tobacco, show respect to other dancers and their regalia, and what an eagle feather represents.

The History of the Regalia

The regalia worn by many of the Rossbrook dancers are a part of the legacy of the Rossbrook House Pow Wow, worn for generations of children and youth. They were first crafted by the students of Wi Wabogooni and a volunteer named Emil Her Many Horses, an Oglala Lakota from South Dakota.

The children and youth were led into the tent by community leaders as part of the Grand Entry. An honour song was also played for outgoing Executive Director, Phil Chiappetta.

Another tradition is the creation of a new Pow Wow t-shirt each year. Rossbrook House staff wore t-shirts with original artwork created by 14-year-old Breanna.

After taking a two-year break (due to the COVID-19 Pandemic), Rossbrook House once again hosted the community Pow Wow. We welcomed community dancers and drum groups, along with community leaders, and dancers from our participants and school programs.