Third annual Every Child Matters Powwow held in Saskatoon

People from across Saskatchewan gathered at SaskTel Centre on Monday for the third annual Every Child Matters powwow.

The powwow, which is held annually on Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is meant to honour the survivors and remember those lost in Canada’s residential school system.

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“I just think it’s really important that we spend some time acknowledging the past and connecting with our history and relatives in the community,” said Rahwa Zeresenai, who was was attending the powwow for the second time on Monday.

Zeresenai said last year, when she attended her first powwow, she thought it the event was beautiful and said she loved learning more about Indigenous culture.

“It was really nice to see the dances, but also learn about the history and the background,” she said.

Zeresenai said it was an educational experience for people who might not be familiar with the residential schooling system or Indigenous culture.

“I think it’s a big learning day. Unfortunately, I think we all have a lot of work to do in terms of learning and acknowledging our history,” she said. “I hope people gain knowledge and just really learn to make spending time on culture and history today a regular thing (so) it’s not something that we do once a year, but that we incorporate the whole year.”

Carmela Pawlowich brought her daughter Adyson to the event.

“We learn a lot about the residential school area and things like what happened and why today is really important,” Adyson said. “We wore our orange shirts on Friday, and then we can wear them today too.”

Sonny Gamble, who participated in the powwow on Monday, said he came out to show his respects to those who didn’t come home from the residential schools.

“People that can’t dance, we dance for them. People cannot sing, we have signers and drummers for them that will do it for them,” he said.

Gamble said it was beautiful to see so many people who don’t have Indigenous ties show up to the event on Monday.

He said he hopes the new connections can help everyone grow stronger.

“It helps strengthen our belief that we are not alone in for this fight,” he said.

“Everybody matters, so it’s very encouraging to see all types of people and cultures coming together and sharing this celebration with us.”