Hundreds of students in the Foothills got the chance to experience Indigenous culture in southern Alberta this week.
Chief Jacob Bearspaw School in Eden Valley held its annual powwow on June 4, with students from Longview, Diamond Valley and Okotoks in attendance.
“It's all about inviting outside students to Eden Valley to break down cultural barriers,” school principal Robbie Gordon said.
Visiting students participated in an intertribal dance alongside members of Stoney Nakoda nations and heard Stoney Nakoda stories.
This is the fifth year of the powwow, and 300 students were invited to take part, in addition to local students and community members, Gordon said.
“It’s been very, very positive for our community and for the outside,” he said.
Students were taught about traditional dances and powwow protocol as Indigenous dancers from Eden Valley and Mini Thni (Morley) danced in several categories.
“(Stoney Nakoda people) are a very open and welcoming community,” Gordon said. “They've got a lot of skills and a lot of talents and it's a great opportunity to showcase that.”
The powwow also helps connect Eden Valley youth to their own culture, said Lane Bearspaw, an aboriginal performing artist from the area.
Kids don't always get the chance to travel to other communities for powwows or other activities, Bearspaw said.
“This teaches kids about culture,” he said. “It means so much.”
The school holds the powwow in June to recognize National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is on June 21.
"June is a very, very busy month in schools so we celebrate early," Gordon said.
Eden Valley is about 30 kilometres southwest of Longview.
