North Winnipeg powwow connects youth with indigenous traditions

Families and friends in a north Winnipeg community had a chance to bond over indigenous culture on Tuesday.

The Gilbert Park neighbourhood just held its second annual powwow. It gave indigenous kids living in the area an opportunity to dress up in traditional powwow garb and showcase their newly acquired dance moves.

Carmelita Blais teamed up with her mom Colleen Blais to create a decorative outfit for the little girl to wear.

"I've done the designs on the shawl," said Carmelita Blais, whose bright outfit consisted of a mix of pinks and purples — her two favourite colours.

Carmelita Blais is a member of the Gilbert Park Going Places group, an after school program that gives youth a safe space to socialize off the streets. Eighteen youth in the program spent the last six months working hard on their outfits for the powwow.

Colleen Blais said making the shawl and dress gave her and her daughter a chance to come together in a special way.

"I'm really proud of her I guess," said Colleen Blais. "She's been working hard on her outfit and I wanted to go give her a hand."

Stephanie Ens, a youth and family social worker with Gilbert Park Going Places, said the outfit-making aspect of the program provided families with an opportunity to pass traditions on to younger generations.

"We're just hoping that through making their own costumes, choosing their own material, that they will reconnect with their culture," said Ens, adding most of the kids in the program are from First Nation reserves.

The act of making outfits and practising dances not only helped Carmelita Blais get to know her roots; it also allowed her mother to reconnect to her past.

"Looking forward to going to other powwows and maybe making my own outfit," said Colleen Blais.