PEIThe sacred fire ceremony at the Panmure Island powwow has been cancelled this year due to a ban on fires on P.E.I.’We won’t let something like a lack of a sacred fire stop us from celebrating our culture,’ says organizerRyan McKellop · CBC News · Posted: Aug 17, 2025 11:31 AM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours agoBradley Cooper, political adviser for the P.E.I. Native Council, says while he’s disappointed the sacred fire can’t happen this year, he wouldn’t do anything that would harm nature. (Delaney Kelly/CBC)The sacred fire ceremony at the Panmure Island powwow has been cancelled this year due to the ban on fires in the province.The ban means the sweat lodge ceremony won’t be held either.Bradley Cooper, the political adviser for the P.E.I. Native Council, said the cancellations are disappointing.”Unfortunately, because of the long summer heat that we’ve been having, we are a little upset that we can’t necessarily have a sacred fire,” he said.”It’s a big part of our ceremonies, as well as the sweat lodge ceremony that involves lighting a fire to burn our rocks.” Cooper said climate change is a concern for him as it pertains to these ceremonies.But Cooper said that respecting nature is in the Indigenous tradition.”We decided, even though it was difficult, that we won’t let something like a lack of a sacred fire stop us from celebrating our culture.”More than 100 people turned out for the powwow despite the challenges.The event had a variety of activities, such as a hand-drumming competition, bingo, traditional drumming and singing and dancing.Mary Jane Bernard was doing traditional dances at the Panmure Island powwow on Saturday. (Delaney Kelly/CBC)One of those dancers, Mary Jane Bernard from Abegweit First Nation, said dancing brings her joy.”I feel like that I’m dancing for [the] Creator and it just brings a lot of joy … so that’s why I like dancing.”Bernard said it was “awesome” to see how many young people were out celebrating their culture.There will be a lobster supper Sunday as the powwow continues.ABOUT THE AUTHORRyan McKellop is a graduate of the Holland College Journalism program and a web writer at CBC P.E.I.With files from Delaney Kelly
Fire ban can’t stop the celebrations at Panmure Island powwow
