Men begin a Powwow with a Grass Dance, a symbolic traditional dance that symbolizes the warriors of a Nation who always went and prepared the ground for a feast or meeting. They dance on the grass to pound it down and there is a spiritual element to it as well. Above, Aaron Googoo of Waygobah danced at the weekend’s Powwow in Wagmatcook. CONTRIBUTED (Mike Lafford)Article contentThe final powwow of the 2025 season on Cape Breton Island took place Oct. 17-19 in Wagmatcook First Nation.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentSurrounded by the colour of autumn trees and the smells of special meals, Indigenous dancers, singers and drummers from all over the island and elsewhere in the Atlantic Provinces took part in a ceremonial gathering that dates back for hundreds if not thousands of years.Article contentArticle contentArticle content The men’s traditional class at the Wagmatcook Powwow on the weekend featured J.R. Herney, seen above with Carly Simon of Eskasoni. Both dancers took to the field many times to celebrate the traditional gathering which marks the end of the Powwow trail on Cape Breton Island that is home to five First Nations. CONTRIBUTED/Mike LaffordArticle contentThe three-day event featured a sunrise ceremony followed by a community breakfast Saturday and Sunday.Article contentAfternoons are set aside for the grand entry in which Chief Norman Bernard and all competitors and honoured elders and guests dance into the powwow grounds. Dance and drum competitions took place in the afternoons, while entertainment and suppers finished off each day.Article content Every dancer at a powwow has to take a break every now and then to smell the flowers. Little two-year-old Akira Herney from Eskasoni is a traditional dancer who was dancing at the Wagmatcook Powwow last weekend. She wowed the crowd of a few hundred people with her skills and energy. MIKE LAFFORD/ CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentVendors sold handmade crafts and workshops taught people about various aspects of Mi’kmaw culture.Article contentWhile competitions are for Indigenous members of communities only, the public is always welcome to attend Powwows – also known as a Mawiomi – as a good way of learning about Mi’kmaw history and traditions on Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island).Article contentPhotos from the event have been contributed by Mike Lafford of Wagmatcook First Nation.Article content At 92 years old, Al Oakley of Eskasoni is still dancing at powwows around the region. He is seen above waiting to dance in the men’s elder categories at the weekend’s powwow in Wagmatcook Oct. 18-19. A veteran of the Korean War and a competitive dancer for many years, Oakley is often the oldest male dancer at events. CONTRIBUTED (Mike Lafford)Article content You’re never too young or old to take your talents to a Powwow. Above, three-year-old Kyler Bernard seemed fearless when he took to the field as the youngest competitor in Wagmatcook Powwow’s “Under the Lights Hand Drum Competition.” Kyler won third place. CONTRIBUTED (Mike Lafford)Article content The Wagmatcook Powwow took place Oct. 17-19 and attracted hundreds of participants and guests. Indigenous from all across Atlantic Canada travel to Powwows to meet old friends, make new friends and see the regalia handcrafted by others. Above, April Marshall of Membertou competed in the women’s traditional category while Eskasoni’s Mike Julian danced in the men’s traditional. CONTRIBUTED (Mike Lafford)Article content The three head dancers for the weekend’s powwow in Wagmatcook danced to an appreciative crowd who travelled to the First Nation to see dancing, singing, listen to speakers and meet new and old friends. Being chosen to be a head dancer is an honour. Above, left to right is youth head dancer, Evan Googoo of Wagmatcook; female head dancer, Karola Googoo, also of Wagmatcook; and male head dancer John Dennis of Eskasoni. CONTRIBUTED (Mike Lafford)Article content The annual Fall powwow took place last weekend at Wagmatcook First Nation and no one let a rainy start to the day on Saturday stop any of the festivities. Above, Liluye Nevin of Waygobah wears a jingle dress as she dances in the fancy shawl category. CONTRIBUTED (Mike Lafford)Article contentRosemary Godin is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for the Cape Breton Post, a position funded by the federal government. Article content
Wagmatcook raps up powwow season 2025
