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New Brunswick·Ann's Eye

Pilick First Nation celebrates 10 years of powwows

Pilick, also known as Kingsclear First Nation, celebrated its 10th anniversary powwow on Sept. 14-15.

Community marks occasion with dancing and drumming along the Wolastoq

CBC News ·
A person stands in total darkness holding several glowing hoops.
James Jones, who goes by the stage name Notorious Cree, was head dancer at the Pilick powwow. (Ann Paul/CBC)

This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You can see more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here.

Ann Paul compares the excitement of a powwow to an electric current.

The dancing, fireworks, music and community — they all create an energy that's hard to forget, and the tenth anniversary powwow at Pilick, also known as Kingsclear First Nation that took place on Sept. 14-15 was no exception.

"It was pure joy," Paul said.

Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see more of the powwow.

WATCH | See the dancing, drumming and fireworks of the Pilick First Nation powwow: 

Ann's Eye: Why the location of Pilick First Nation's powwow is sacred

5 months ago
Duration 2:19
Chief Gabriel Atwin explains why hosting Pilick First Nation's tenth anniversary powwow by the Wolastoq holds special meaning.
People dressed in regalia walk across a sunlit lawn where white tents are set up.
Pilick First Nation, which is a 20-minute drive west of Fredericton, hosted its powwow next to the Wolastoq, or St. John River. 'That’s traditionally where our people would have met and gathered, where the canoes would have stopped,' Ann Paul said. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A group of people stand on a grassy lawn, some holding flags.
Before the dancing begins, Paul said powwows open with a grand entry and ceremony to honour ancestors and veterans. 'Then all of a sudden, bam — you're into it,' she said. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A group of people wearing Indigenous ribbon skirts walk in a line across a grassy lawn.
During the winter, after the powwow season has ended, Paul said that's the time to take care of your regalia or make new regalia before powwows begin again in the summer. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Three women dressed in colourful Indigenous regalia walk across a grassy lawn towards a crowd of people and a teepee.
Paul said the space where the powwow took place was beautiful and calming. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A man dressed in a bright red shirt with yellow, black and white lines stands on a grassy lawn.
Chief Gabriel Atwin attended the Pilick First Nation powwow. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A group of men sit in a circle around a drum, each beating it with a stick and singing.
The Muskrat Singers drumming group performed at the powwow. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A group of men sit in a circle outside under a white tent beating a drum.
The Wabanaki Confederacy was another host drumming group at the Pilick First Nation powwow. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Two people dressed in traditional Indigenous regalia and feathers stand on a grassy lawn facing a wooden teepee.
Exhibition dances took place in the afternoon, Paul said. They included the chicken dance, the grass dance or the men's traditional. (Ann Paul/CBC)
White tents and a teepee are set up on a grassy lawn as the sun rises.
Dancing and drumming continued into the night, Paul said. (Ann Paul/CBC)
People dressed in colourful, traditional Indigenous clothing dance on grass at night time.
Dancing in a powwow is also a chance to show off your style, Paul said. (Ann Paul/CBC)

Ann's Eye

Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick. Click here or on the image below to see more of her work. 

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