Complete with a grand entry, a band of singers and drummers and several kinds of dances, St. Augustine Catholic School of Ponoka marked National Aboriginal day with a mini powwow on Monday, June 20.
The students from mainly elementary school gathered at the gym to watch the drummers’ band sing the tunes for the First Nation youths to dance.
The powwow, which lasted for about an hour, featured both group and individual dances like chicken and jingle dances by the young dancers in their colorful regalia, who included a few of the St. Augustine students as well.
One of the organizers of the powwow, teacher Nicole York said while they marked the day every year with smaller events previously, this year they decided to bring a more comprehensive celebration to the students.
During the celebration, band members gave information to the students about their songs and the dances as part of their First Nation culture.