'We're going to rebuild': Kawacatoose determined to have July powwow after fire destroys arbour

A blaze that partially destroyed a powwow arbour on the Kawacatoose First Nation on Sunday night isn't going to stop the band from going ahead with plans for a powwow in July.

"We're going to rebuild by the time the powwow starts," said Lerenda Asapace, education development manager for the Saskatchewan band, located 115 kilometres north of Regina.

"We made a committee this morning and we're already working on finding funds and we're going to rebuild the powwow arbour."

Asapace received a call at about 9:30 p.m. CST that the community's powwow arbour was ablaze. When she arrived, the announcer's stand was engulfed.

"Personally, it was really sad becausethere'sso much memories there," she said.

Asapace said it was her late uncle who had been integral to the arbour going up on the grounds while he was serving as chief.

"That's what affected me, like, the memories, how hard he got that powwow arbour up and then, now, half of it is all gone," Asapace said.

The community responded to the fire. Band staff and community members worked to move benches away from the blaze.

"We all pulled together last [Sunday] night. It was really amazing, actually," saidAsapace.

People were on the grounds Monday morning looking to help with cleanup or in some other way, Asapace said.

As for the cause of the fire, a report has been filed with the RCMP.

The powwow is slated for July 18-20.