People were packed into the Dorchester Veterans Community Centre on Saturday, to watch and participate in the 2nd annual Amlamgog First Nation Youth Powwow.
CHMA stopped in to hear the grand entry, featuring youth dancers from Amlamgog and around New Brunswick, and spoke to Amlamgog Chief Rebecca Knockwood about the joy of the event, as well as the pain of remembering the Indigenous children who suffered and died in Canada’s residential school system.
The powwow started off with an emotional moment of reflection as the crowd listened to the song Remember Me, by residential school survivor Randy Wood, while toddlers and young children ran around among parents and caregivers.
“It’s really, really sad, but it’s also fulfilling and happy to know that we have the little generation coming up,” said Knockwood. “It brings my heart so much joy to know that [the powwow] is growing.”
Amlamgog cultural coordinator Nicole Porter put together the event, and Elder Cynthia Sewell led the crowd by singing the Mi’kmaq Hounour Song. Youth drum group ThunderFeather from Wagmatcook First Nation took turns providing the heartbeat for the event with Sipu Boyz from Metapenagiag.
