This weekend, I attended my very first Pow Wow. Yes, my very first one—even though these celebrations have been open to everyone since the 1960s. Let’s just say I’m arriving a little late… only a few decades behind!
From the official opening, with the deep sound of the drums, the singing, and the sight of magnificent clothing decorated with beads, feathers, and vibrant colours, I was deeply moved. There was something powerful, alive, and profoundly rooted in what I was witnessing.
First Nations people celebrate their ancestors, life, memory, and the passing down of traditions through songs and dance. The Grand Entry, a sacred tradition, particularly moved me. Everyone stands with the same kind of respect we show when our national anthem is played in Canada.
Afterwards, we were invited to visit the booths, meet families, and discover the meaning and symbolism behind different objects, gestures, and traditions.
What touched me most was their generosity. We were not simply spectators; we were invited to participate, to dance, and to celebrate with them. What a beautiful display of openness and hospitality!
I would have loved to learn even more, especially when I saw women carrying such precious knowledge about healing. But perhaps it wasn’t exactly the right moment to pull out my notebook and ask for a crash course on Quebec’s medicinal plants!
The most ironic part of the experience is that I went there with the organization Mon Afrique à Lanaudière. Sometimes, it takes encountering another culture to help us discover and appreciate the cultures that are right beside us.
We Quebecers sometimes forget to connect with other cultures, to allow ourselves to be surprised, and to open our ears and our hearts. Recognizing this is already a step toward greater openness to other nations.
And as for me, I continue to dream of a more inclusive world—a world where we all dance together a little more often!
