Wikwemikong Pow Wow on Manitoulin Island, Canada

This Cultural Festival in ON, Canada Gathers First Nations People

Jan 7, 2010
Lori Henry

Pow Wow Dancer at Wikwemikong Cultural Festival - Lori Henry

Each summer, First Nations people assemble on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada for the Wikwemikong Cultural Festival, including a competition pow wow & much dancing.

One of the most exciting First Nations pow wows in Canada is the Wikwemikong Cultural Festival, home of the Odawa, Ojibway and Pottawatomi people. It takes place on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada on the only unceded Indian Reserve in Canada.

First Nations Culture

The focus of a pow wow has always been for neighbouring nations to gather at a certain time of the year to celebrate life by dancing and trading.

Today, not much has changed except that people can come from farther and wider to attend and non-native people who are interested in First Nations culture are a noticeable presence in the audience.

First Nations Pow Wow

At the Wikwemikong Cultural Festival pow wow, the outdoor circular space, with covered bleacher seating around the outside, is a wonderful way to enjoy the summer days and evenings.

This is a competition pow wow, so First Nations dancers are dressed up in their colourful, robust and kaleidoscopic regalia, all dancing for a large pot of money.

Pow Wow Dance

For age and men/women categories, there are different types of dances.

Women’s dances: Fancy shawl, jingle dress and traditional
Men’s dances: Fancy, grass, traditional and smoke

The grand entry starts off the pow wow with all dancers following the tradition of the Eagle Staff bearer and flag bearers as they enter the circle. Also during the day is the intertribal dance, where the audience is invited to try their hand at First Nations dancing.

Make sure to be around for the Spectators Dance competition, when dancers choose audience members to wear pieces of regalia and compete against each other. Note that it’s respectful to ask permission before taking any photos of the dancers in their pow wow regalia.

First Nations Food

Throughout the day it’s a good idea to visit the vendors selling lunch and dinner on site. A variety of First Nations food (lots of fast food but there are plenty of healthy alternatives to keep everyone well fed) is served by various vendors.

Manitoulin Island Hotels

It’s possible to stay at a few bed & breakfasts closer to the pow wow grounds, but the Shaftesbuty Inn in the town of Little Current is the best choice. Under a half an hour drive to Wikwemikong, this unique accommodation has a variety of rooms that are all comfortable and feel more like a large house than a hotel.

Ossie Argmann is a wonderful host with a vast knowledge of the island. Make sure to reserve at least one evening meal here, as she cooks up homemade specials.