CARDSTON – The town of Cardston sits just south of the Blood Tribe Reserve. Yet, for years, those in the area say they have operated as two separate communities.
Seeing the divide, late Blood Tribe councillor Oliver Shouting proposed a partnership.
“(He was) an outstanding individual,” remembered Cardson-Kainai Pow Wow chair David Innes. “He approached the town of Cardston and said ‘We need to do something to bring our communities together.'”
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The Cardston-Kainai Pow Wow was the result. First held in 2007, the event is a showcase of aboriginal culture, featuring first nations drumming, dancing and singing.
“It is within our traditional territory,” said Blood Tribe councillor Dexter Bruised Head. “We like to express a bit of our culture with song and dance and this is a great opportunity to do so. We have a great partner with the Mayor.”
The all-day event took place at the Cardston Lions Park on Wednesday. Drum groups and dancers from across the region, and from as far away as the United States, performed for a diverse crowd of on-lookers.
“It’s an easy way to come to meet people,” said Cardston mayor Magali Kronen. “And, to come to appreciate the differences between people and appreciate the beauty of those differences.”
The Pow Wow was the kick-off to Cardston’s Heritage Days which run through to Saturday.
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