The Fallen Feather - Kinetic Video

First Nations identity was suppressed over multiple generations with devastating
results. I know. My family suffered and lived in denial.
The Powwow, once outlawed, is now one of the best ways to reclaim these
traditions.
I was very fortunate to be welcomed by Margaret August-Sjodin who introduced
me to native dance.
This regalia belonged to my daughter Tracy. She made this herself in her last
year of school. She was runner up princess for the Chase Secondary School.
And she made this herself to dance in the powwow. This is the last one she
made. She’s now passed away. I’m letting Jannica wear it because this is her
first time she’s dancing in the powwow also. So I thought that it would be very
special because she also reminds me of my daughter to.
Culture is a way of life, it’s a way of believing. And me and Tracy use to go to the
river in the mornings. We would go in and do our prayers in the four directions.
Its like a new beginning in the morning because of the rebirth and purity of the
water. It teaches us good things and helps us through the bad times. She use to
go to the powwow and it was a spiritual growth for her. Something that really
meant something to her. Having the culture throughout her life it helped her
realize that there is a direction that she could take. No matter whether it was
going to be a bad day, or if she was sad. She knew that in her heart that she
could fall back on these beliefs of the swimming and the prayer in the four
directions.
Margaret August-Sjodin
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