[URBAN NOTE] "Mississauga First Nation celebrates 30 years of annual homecoming powwows"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star reports, with photos.

The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Three Fires Homecoming Powwow, keeping the flame of tradition alive.

Quinton Sault could dance before he could walk. For the 19-year-old head youth dancer from the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, powwows have always been a fact of life.

“When I was younger my dad used to make all my regalia. It would take him all summer just to make one,” Sault says.

“To be up there dancing is a great honour,” Sault said, carefully securing twin eagle feathers to his headdress. On a Saturday morning, Sault was preparing to dance at his community’s 30th annual homecoming fire powwow. Eagle features are sacred, as is the powwow itself.

“You’re dancing not for yourself, but for everyone around you,” Sault said. “You’re showing everyone what it was like to be part of Mother Earth and one with everything around you.”