Pow Wow

After 2 weeks of radio silence (the time of this writing is August 2), it's time for a big update. a Pow Wow, an outdoor trip, a Flemish picnic, and my first job interview - spread over several blog posts.


The Bragg Creek / Tsuu T'ina Nation Pow Wow is one of several that are held during Summer in Alberta. In Summer the natives/aboriginals come together from all over this huge province to celebrate their culture with traditional dances (and rodeo, fair... say, a mini stampede). Historically (and maybe still?) this allowed boys and girls from different places to meet each other. For the natives, Summer is spent partying from one Pow Wow to another. 

I went to the Pow Wow with the Flemish BBQ'ers (I got a ride from Benjamin, whose Canadian girlfriend joined us, plus Erwin & Nadine). Here we go:

All while the "orchestra" was screaming like there's no tomorrow - so loud my camera could hardly record the sound:
 

All the while dancers kept pouring in from an endless queue outside...

On my way back home, on the C-train, I was looking at Pow Wow pictures on my camera. A guy next to me said, "Is that a tipi? Can I have a look?" Turns out he's a native from the tribe we saw today. "And he too, and he too, and he too, and he too", he says, pointing at five buddies who were standing nearby. We get into a chat and I learn that they call themselves "aboriginals", that aboriginals live in cities like Calgary and have normal jobs like construction worker, and that I "should definitely try Indian taco" (i.e. aboriginal taco) but "I have to go to a Pow Wow to get it." Anyway, meeting these guys was quite a surprise!