Are Pow Wow’s in the future for Cochrane?
One Morley family is hopeful.
This year the Town of Cochrane included traditional First Nation dancers in the town’s Canada Day festivities.
“This is something that is definitely needed with the neighbouring communities,” explained organizer Daryl Kootenay, from Stoney First Nation.
“It is a good way to bond and get the connection better.”
It was the first time – to the family’s memory – that they had been included in the town’s Canada Day celebrations.
The Kootenay’s attended the morning festivities in Cochrane with Daryl, traditional dancer Douglas Kootenay, and other immediate family including Douglas’ two-year-old son, Mesa.
“It was received really well, it was great to come out with my brother and family, especially as a family to share a little bit of our identity, I think that is a big part of it,” Daryl said.
“A lot of people in our community struggle and it is good for our neighbouring communities to help out each other and realize each other’s struggle and take care of each other.”
While the Town’s Recreation, Culture & Arts staff manager Tracy Brooker said she remembers incorporating traditional First Nation dancers for the centennial Canada Day festivities, she could not recall if the town had extended the invitation for any other Canada Day.
“I think they did a fabulous job and the Kootenay family is wonderful to work with,” said Shannon Bannister, organizer and Cochrane’s Seniors’ Centre Programmer.
Bannister worked with the family previously, inviting them out to perform at the Seniors on the Bow Centre.
“This is the first year we invited the First Nation people to be a part of the flag raising ceremony – we thought it would be great to include them,” Bannister said.
Douglas has been traditionally dancing ever since he “could walk,” he said with a laugh.
“I love dancing and being part of any kind of celebration and being able to share a little bit of our culture – it’s been in the family and always has been and it always will be,” Douglas said.
Douglas performed two traditional dances at the morning celebration, including the traditional war dance, his favourite to perform.
“It was a great response, I loved seeing all the smiles and everybody gathering around to watch us put on our performance, it was a great crowd and a great time,” Douglas said.
“And I brought my son (Mesa) here so we can continue the beautiful cycle of dance.”
The Kootenay family has been invited to perform at various schools in Cochrane but this is the first town event the traditional dancers can remember being invited to.
“I thought it was very honourable and I really appreciate it, I think it is really important to have that invite more often,” Daryl commented.
“To be part of a bigger community picture, I think that needs to happen a little more and I think it would be nice if Cochrane would host a Pow Wow one of these days.”
While the Kootenay family was only able to perform in the morning, as an afternoon Pow Wow conflicted with the afternoon events in town, the brothers said they hope they are invited back soon.
“Absolutely, I would love to come back. I am always willing and able to help bridge that gap and I just hope there is more of this down the road,” Douglas said.
