The Georgian Bay Two Spirit Powwow celebrates its 4th annual event this weekend.
It’ll be happening on Saturday, September 14th from 11-6 at M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre.
Thunder Sharma, who is the founder of the Two Spirit Powwow, says that it’s a big celebration of community and inclusion for 2-spirit, queer, and trans youth.
“Every year we try to do some ceremonies. We try bring people together. We do an honour ceremony where we give some feathers away to honourable youth and mentors in the area,” says Sharma.
As a 2-spirit person, Sharma says that he didn’t have many safe spaces for people like him to go during his youth. He says that others in the community were often ridiculed for being 2-spirit, queer, and trans.
“They were ostracized for who they were,” he says. “So growing up, I always wanted to see more events where I could be safe and be myself, so when I got to my teens, I just decided ‘why don’t we just make space for ourselves?'”
In 2018, the First Georgian Bay Two Spirit Powwow was held at Springwater Park in Midhurst. This Powwow was led by Thunder Sharma (he/him) and Terra Roy (they/she) who were living on Chimnissing First Nations and attending high school. Terra was also Youth Chief at the time for Chimnissing Chief and Council.
The event then had to be put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When Sharma, who is originally from Saugeen First Nation moved back home, he decided to keep the tradition of the Powwow going, and was able to do so while working with M’Wikwedong IFC. He says that they’re also looking to open the event to other communities in the future.
Sharma says that those who attend Saturday’s event can expect a lot of community love, with a place of inclusion and culture.
The organizers welcome Inuit and Métis community members, as well as Indigenous Community Members of mixed and multi-races – such as Afro-Indigenous – who they note are often excluded from the above-noted communities.
Admission is pay-what-you-can with a $5 suggested donation, or you can donate a non-perishable food item.
“You can expect a lot of dancers, a lot of singers, people will be smudged in when they arrive, and be greeted by a youth committee,” he says. “I work with M’Wikwedong Indigenous Friendship Centre as the language teacher, so a lot of my students and a lot of youth that I work with will be there. We have a lot of youth leadership in the space. And it’s really beautiful.”
He also expresses gratitude toward the Elders of the community, as it wouldn’t be possible without their support.
Head Elder – Blu Waters
MC – Amy Smoke
Arena Director – Matthew Lavallee
Staff Carrier – Nawalka Geeshy Meegwun
Pipe Carrier – Ronnie John
Official Photographer – Bangishimo Johnston
Host Drum – Chippewa Travellers
Invited Drum – Isaiah MacFarlane
Hand Drum Group – Spirit Wind
Head Dancers – Skye Smoke, Indiana Cada, Mary Ann Manatch
Veterans – Olivia Goguen, Raymond Byng
Guest of Honour – Beanie John
Fire Keeper – Sean Carson