First official powwow in Saint John, N.B., underway at TD Station this weekend
This weekend brings Menahqesk PowWow 2024 to Saint John, N.B., the first traditional powwow to be held in the city.
Thousands were in attendance Saturday afternoon for the grand entry, which featured dancers and drumming inside TD Station.
“From looking at the number of people who were here earlier, I can safely say we were close to over 4,000 people that attended for the very first powwow,” says Possesom Paul, CEO of Double Curve Media, a key organizer of the gathering. “We’re really here, finally!”
As many as 10,000 visitors are expected to travel to Saint John for the powow, which began planning in late 2023. The event continues, with free admission, until Sunday.
Saturday evening’s activities will take place under the banner, ‘Saturday Night Live’ and feature a hand drum competition, alongside intertribal and social dances.
Sunday’s grand entry will take place at 1 p.m.
A market featuring more than 40 Indigenous craft and food vendors is open throughout the two-day gathering.
“We have a long history in this city of not being part of this city,” says Possesom. “Our people were segregated for a long period of time. It’s a long process of being able to bridge those gaps, and really see each other as equals.”
About 2.6 per cent of Saint John’s population identify as Indigenous.
Organizers say the goal is for the powwow to become an annual event.
For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. election results: NDP gains ground in first release of mail-in ballot data
Elections BC released its first partial results of the final count in B.C.'s 2024 provincial election Saturday afternoon, and the data shows NDP candidates gaining in some tight races.
15-year-old found dead in eastern Ontario, teen facing second-degree murder charge: OPP
Ontario Provincial Police say a 16-year-old person has been charged with second-degree murder after a 15-year-old was found dead at a home in Perth, Ont. Friday afternoon.
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Lawsuit alleges Ontario man died after given 10 times prescribed dose in hospital
Angela Salvatore had been away from her father's hospital bedside for just over an hour when she says she got a frantic call from a nurse, pleading with her to calm him down.
Ottawa journalist says claims that he is a Russian agent are 'fabricated'
A veteran Ottawa journalist is firing back against what he says are "entirely false" claims by a former Conservative cabinet minister that he acted as a Russian agent.
What we know about the Canadians busted in an international drug ring led by a former Olympic athlete
Canadian Ryan James Wedding finished in 24th place in the parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, but the snowboarder wouldn’t go on to improve his results in Torino four years later.
Witches walk among us — but they're not like the fictional ones you grew up with
Two witches talk about their daily rituals, from spell-casting to TikTok posting, and how they discovered their magic.
Israel's first open attack on Iran targets missile sites and apparently spares oil and nuclear ones
Israel attacked military targets in Iran with pre-dawn airstrikes Saturday in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired on Israel earlier this month. It was the first time Israel's military has openly attacked Iran.
Trump says he's open to eliminating income taxes and repeats 'enemy from within' rhetoric on podcast with Joe Rogan
Former U.S. president Donald Trump said on Joe Rogan’s podcast Friday that he would be open to eliminating income taxes, while pushing his sweeping tariff proposal and praising the economic policies of the late 19th century.