Everything You Need to Know About the Every Child Matters Traditional Powwow

Oki Matapiiks, we are excited to host the Every Child Matters Traditional Powwow on September 30th at the Scotiabank Saddledome, here are some important things to know about the event.

Attending The Powwow & Festivities

As indicated in the poster above, the event start time is at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening to the public at 6:00 p.m.

Please don’t forget a non-perishable food item, article of winter clothing, or new children’s skateboarding shoes for entry. All public attendees are asked to enter the Saddledome through the west entrance, a map is posted further down the page as well as our Siksika Health Services social pages on event day. Parking for all attendees & staff is at regular Saddledome rates, $15 per vehicle

Some general information & photography guidelines for those attending:

  • Saddledome Concessions will be open, and are cashless so please bring debit and credit cards to purchase food and drinks.
  • There also will be a free event prior to the event beginning at 5:00pm, which include a Skate Sesh with Cousins Skateboarding and local Siksika acts including Jax Running Rabbit, Double Ride and N.D.N Family.
  • There will be no stock photography at this event.
  • When you’re at a powwow, you’re at a cultural event. As such there may be some customs and traditions that are unfamiliar to you or others who are present, yet they are highly significant. Please show respect throughout, and feel free to ask questions about what’s appropriate and what’s not.
  • While you may technically be in public, it’s considered impolite to take photos without first asking permission. If you’re told no, please respect that.
  • When photographing a powwow, it is important to be respectful and not take photos during prayers, flag songs or other ceremonies or when the MC has forbid photos.
  • Many dancers have worked for hours to create their beautiful beadwork and it is something personally meaningful to them. Some don’t like to have this beadwork photographed, as it may allow someone else to copy the design.
  • For any further media inquiries, please contact Ryan Running Rabbit at RyanRR@siksikahealth.com or 403-361-0584

Dancer information:

Registration for dancers will start at 5:00 p.m. at the Telus Club entrance (see map below) and will move closer to the floor of the Scotiabank Saddledome prior to the start of the powwow. Please be advised that there is no floor seating, however dancers will be able to sit in the Telus Club area for close access to the floor.

Categories for dancers:

  • Tiny Tots 0 – 6
  • Men’s Buckskin
  • Women’s Golden Age
  • Men’s Golden Age
  • Junior Girls – Traditional, Jingle, Fancy (Ages 7 – 12)
  • Junior Boys – Traditional, Grass, Fancy, Chicken (Ages 7 – 12)
  • Teen Girls – Traditional, Jingle, Fancy (Ages 13-17)
  • Teen Boys – Traditional, Grass, Fancy, Chicken (Ages 13 – 17)
  • Orange Regalia Special – Juniors (7-12) (All Juniors as long as orange in their regalia)
  • Honor Dance for the Residential School Survivors
  • Adult Ladies – Traditional, Jingle, Fancy
  • Adult Men – Traditional, Grass, Fancy, Chicken
  • Owl Dance – All ages

Map of entrances at Scotiabank Saddledome

Every Child Matters Maatapiiks Gathering Pre-Event (5:00pm – 7:00pm)

This is a free to attend event and will take place before the Powwow, attendees will enjoy a concert featuring 3 local Indigenous acts and a hoop dancing demonstration.

This will run alongside a community skate session with Cousins Skateboarding. Performers to include, Jax Running Rabbit, MorningStar, Double Rider, & N.D.N Family.

According to Cousins Skateboarding, the local skate scene has come together to support a number of important initiatives, and we hope to involve our engage the wider skate community in reconciliACTION – bringing all peoples together in the spirit of reconciliation to create awareness, share, and learn.

Their goal tomorrow is to collect 50 pairs of new skate shoes that will then be shared with youth in a number of communities in Treaty 7. If you are able, please feel free to donate them to the crew when you attend.