North Winnipeg powwow connects youth with indigenous traditions

Families and friends in a north Winnipeg community had a chance to bond overindigenous culture on Tuesday.

The Gilbert Park neighbourhood just held itssecond annual powwow. It gave indigenouskids living in the area an opportunity to dress up in traditional powwow garb and showcasetheir newly acquired dance moves.

Carmelita Blaisteamed up with her mom Colleen Blaisto createa decorative outfit for the little girlto wear.

"I've done the designs on the shawl," said CarmelitaBlais, whose bright outfit consisted of a mix ofpinks and purples her two favourite colours.

Carmelita Blaisis a member of the Gilbert Park Going Places group, anafter school program that gives youth asafe space to socialize off the streets. Eighteen youth in the program spent the last sixmonths working hard on their outfits for the powwow.

Colleen Blais saidmaking the shawl and dress gave her and her daughter a chance to come together in a special way.

"I'm really proud of her I guess," said Colleen Blais. "She's been working hard on her outfit and I wantedto go give her a hand."

Stephanie Ens, a youth and family social worker with Gilbert Park Going Places, said the outfit-making aspect of the programprovided families with an opportunity to pass traditions on to younger generations.

"We're just hoping that through making their own costumes, choosing their own material, that they will reconnect with their culture," said Ens, adding most of the kids in the program are from First Nation reserves.

The act of making outfits and practising dancesnot only helpedCarmelitaBlais get to know her roots; it also allowed her motherto reconnect to her past.

"Looking forward to going to other powwows and maybe making my own outfit," said Colleen Blais.