People of the powwow: Who came to St. Mary's this weekend?

Hundreds of Indigenous people from across Eastern Canada and the United States made the trek to St. Mary's First Nation in Fredericton for its17th annual powwow this weekend.

Here are the stories of some of the people who spent Saturdaysinging, dancing and reconnecting with friends and family.

Joshua Perley, Tobique First Nation

Joshua Perley, 13, looks forward to St. Mary's powwow all year long.

It's where he started dancing two years ago. Since then, his life has been different.

"Before I started dancing I used to hang out with a lot of bad people and I got into a fair share of trouble," saidPerley.

"Butnow that I started dancing I stayaway from those people.Istick to myself."

Perley will be taking part in a dance competition at the powwow.

Mary Helen Pierro, WagmatcookFirst Nation

Mary Helen Pierro(left)travelled from Cape Breton Island to spend time withhersister Rebecca Sanipassat the powwow.

She will be praying for family and community members during a tobacco ceremony after she dances.

"A lot of our family members struggle with cancer ... and suicides and drugs andalcohol," said Pierro.

"Welosttwo of ournephewsto prescription drugs."

Kevin Chief, Algonquin First Nation

As Kevin Chief prepares for his performance as head male dancer at the powwow, hereflects on the importance of his headdress.

"An elder told us once that when we're dancing out there we're wearing the eagle bustle, that eagle spirit is lifting us up and carrying us and making us feel lighter out there," said Chief.

Chief, who lives in Ottawa, is also a Juno-nominated singer under the nameFlying Down Thunder.

He thinks it's important to travel to different powwows across the country to celebrate the nation-to-nation relationship.

Nicholas Paul, St. Mary's First Nation

Several people have set up stalls selling their wares along the powwow grounds.

Nicholas Paul has hung his artwork from the trees. It'sinspired by Indigenous culture.

"The more I travel, the more inspiration I get from different tribes," said Paul.

The piece he's standing next to depicts the legend of Malabeam, agirl who sacrificed her life after being captured by Mohawks.

Sipsis Paul, TobiqueFirst Nation

Although Sipsis Paul originally comes from Tobique First Nation, she now lives with her family in Caribou, Maine.

Her mother helped her get ready before her performance.

She says her ceremonial regalia symbolizes healing.