By Justin Goulet (@JustinGoulet21)

International Peace Pow-Wow and Festival set for this weekend

Feb 21, 2019 | 9:24 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Indigenous culture will be celebrated this weekend.

The ENMAX Centre hosts the 2019 International Peace Pow-Wow and Festival, presented by the Blackfoot Canadian Cultural Society.

“The annual International Peace Pow-wow & Festival is a Blackfoot Canadian Cultural Society project to showcase the best of Indigenous cultures, namely the arts and artists,” said Executive Director of the Blackfoot Canadian Cultural Society and event organizer Mary Ann Crow Healy in a release.

“We have done this for 19 years with 2019 being the 20th because this event is our greatest source of Identity, Pride and Inspiration. But it is a costly endeavor and this year, we are so grateful that a sponsor for this very special ceremony has stepped up to the plate – Kudos to Max Gibb, Rose Rossi and the Rocky Mountain Turf Club. We are grateful to Multiculturalism Canada, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the City of Lethbridge and FortisAlberta for their support.”

As part of the weekend-long celebration, a Blackfoot Elder will give Alberta Premier Rachel Notley a Blackfoot name during a special ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 23.

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In addition to receiving a Blackfoot name, Notley will get a special gift at around 6:00 p.m. to prepare for the Grand Entry at 7:00 p.m.

Crow Healy said the Grand Entry is “the most spectacular aspect of the Pow-Wow” and they have three – one at 1:00 p.m. and another at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 23. A third will take place at 12:00 p.m. on Feb. 24.

Doors will open at the ENMAX Centre at 10:00 a.m. Each day, visitors will be able to check out the crafts marketplace and enjoy a performance from dancers as part of the Grand Entry.

There will also be a pageant and a dance to honour the University of Lethbridge’s Chancellor, Charles Weaslehead. The former Blood Tribe and Treaty 7 Chief is the first Indigenous person to hold the title in the school’s 52-year history.

For more details, visit the event’s Facebook page.