The ever Changing powwows...

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself" . Andy Warhol Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/time_changes.html

Over the past weekend, I witness change, like many Powwows this was no different or was it? I remember when I first started to powwow in Mi'kmaw country there were only small hand full of people. Like a seed that was planted by our current Elders 30 years ago has blossomed and bloomed.

As I sat at the drum, like II would do at many other powwows, I sat and observed people. I was watching how our powwows or Mawio'mi bring good medicine to our people. I say healing because of the affects of colonization has had the greatest impact on our people. I watched many young people grow up from summer to summer and see them grow,

I am truly grateful for everything in my life and Powwowing is my safe place. Being surrounded by many good people or L'nu'k from all over. Old friends you may have had from many years or new friend that you may helped giving directions on how to do something at the powwow.

The Spirit of our ancestors come alive and and feel it in the air, the sounds of the bells of the dancer or the sounds of the Medicine Dress with that sound of the cones of their dresses. the smells of powwow food or our medicine being burnt to smudge.

I was called an Elder at the powwow over the weekend by my Elders that taught me and shared their knowledge with me. To be Honest, I didn't know how to take it, this caught me by surprised. He said, "Simon to be an Elder has nothing to do with age, its about the experiences and knowledge you poses." I was shocked to have an my Elder have that much respect for me to actually give me the acknowledgement for that we do.

The Second Elder, has been battling with his health, he is also an original member of the Mi'kmaq people that sought out the teachings to bring them back to our people.. He has battled cancer and through the power of prays of the people he was fully cure. Stage 4 cancer to cancer free. When he was talking about his journey, he mentioned 3 names that help shape the powwows and drum teaching to our people. This was honor for me to be giving the acknowledgement from my peers.

Change happens, wither we want it do or not, this is all of part of the creator creating, and all we are nurturer and guidance of our traditions and teachings. How I feel about this change is good because we learn how to overcome fear, we learn to live with mistakes and we learn to over come.

Si

M'sit No'kmaq