Community workshop focuses on powwow origins, traditions

A community workshop in Saskatoon is delving into the world of powwows.

The Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre is hosting a series of free classes, called the Powwow Initiation Project, focusing on traditional knowledge associated with the special gatherings.

"This is a global phenomenon that people rarely talk about," Dion Tootoosis, Indigenous programs facilitator behind the classes, told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning.

You just have to want to be this. You have to be passionate about it and we will help you.- Dion Tootoosis, Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre's program facilitator

He said the initiation program started in 2011 spurred by demand from First Nations youth to be more culturally involved in language, identity, dancing and singing.

"[Powwows] are a gift that was given to the human being to pay homage and respect to all life and to celebrate life, to sing and rejoice," he said.

The only difference now from when powwows first began is that the gatherings have taken on a contemporary form where participants compete against each other with song and dance, Tootoosis explained.

The classes are open to everyone who wants to join, said Tootoosis.

There is one prerequisite to attend: "You just have to want to be this," said Tootoosis. "You have to be passionate about it and we will help you."

The workshops will continue to take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays leading up to one of North America's largest powwows hosted in Saskatoon, the FSIN Spirit of Our Nations Powwow.

For more information about the classes, click here.