Hundreds gather to celebrate culture at Squamish Nation Youth Powwow

Nearly 3,000 people gathered at the Chief Joe Mathias Centre on the North Shore over July 10-12 to celebrate culture and traditions at the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Youth Powwow.

Dozens of Indigenous communities came together for the annual event, which drew performers from across Canada and Washington state. Dancers competed across multiple categories for cash prizes, and dozens of vendors sold food, clothing, jewelry, and other goods on site.

Simon Baker, the powwow's head chair and president, said the turnout marked the event's growth over its four-year tenure organizing it. "The vibe has been amazing," Baker said. "Everybody has said how amazing we've grown and how we've put this together."

The powwow has been running for over three decades. Before Baker took the helm, his auntie Tenalh-t (Gloria "Honeygirl" Nahanee) carried on the tradition for many years. For Baker, who is Squamish, Cree and Haida, continuing the powwow is personal. "It's something about powwow, it is a tool for our Indigenous people for healing and coming together," he said. "But [also] non-Indigenous now. We have opened up the door for everybody to come and see and be a part of our culture. That's the importance of powwow."

Baker's daughter Nevaeh Lewis-Baker, 16, performed Sunday, leading a team dance where all women's category dancers performed together. "I'm grateful to be able to be proud and hold with high confidence in myself and to love the dance that I do," she said.