Pemmican Days begins with parade and dancing performances

MOBERLY LAKE, B.C. — A cherished summer tradition for the people of Saulteau First Nations (SFN) kicked off this week.

SFN’s annual Pemmican Days began on Friday, July 11th, with the Pemmican Day parade and opening ceremony. 

After the parade – where decorative floats celebrating Indigenous culture made their way around the SFN territory – participants flocked to the Pemmican Grounds where the event began with remarks from both Chief Rudy Paquette and SFN council.

The festival is named after the traditional Indigenous snack, a mixture of tallow dried meat and occasionally berries which was first observed back in 1988.

On Thursday evening, July 10th,  the First Nation held a feast for its community where an estimated 500 people attended. 

Before Paquette spoke, SFN Elder Della Owens had an opening comment and reminded all who attended to “have a good day.”

“Enjoy yourselves,” said Owens. “Remember this day that we are all gathered here to welcome one another. If you’re sitting to the left, shake a hand to your left and shake a hand to your right and welcome one another.”

This year’s festivities were marked by the opening of the refurbished Pemmican Grounds, which now have a brand new stage.

Paquette said the new additions were a testament to the festival’s organizing committee, staff and council, who “all work hard together.”

“I have a really awesome team I really love,” said Paquette. “They do a lot behind doors you don’t know about. I just want you to know that I really trust in them and believe in them.”

The event was also marked by the unveiling of a new challenge coin. The coins are representative of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and their reconciliation efforts with Indigenous communities.

Coins were presented to both Chief and council and depict the Twin Sisters, a prominent mountain range in the area, and maps of SFN and West Moberly First Nations.

SFN was issued 150 coins for Chief and council, who will distribute them to those they feel “represent the pride” of the Nation.

It was a special moment for Chetwynd detachment RCMP officers Sgt Wahnese Antonioni-Stevens and Indigenous policing services counsel Brayden Waughtal, each of whom are Indigenous.

“It’s amazing,” said Antonioni-Stevens, who has Algonquin and Ojibwe roots, and is a member of the Whitefish River First Nation in Ontario. 

“I love the fact that in my job, I get to work with my own people. I’m actually working right now, and I feel like I’m playing.”

Waughtal, a member of Acho Dene Koe of Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, said: “It reminds me of growing up. I would attend events like this. [It’s] just very nostalgic for me and to be in a position [and] also a community member as well, it’s just great to be here.”

The opening festivities finished with dances from the SFN traditional dance troupe.  

Throughout the three-day event, there will be competitions,  including traditional handgames, known as Pugeesee; teepee raising; bow and arrow; axe throwing; slingshot competitions; and more.

New this year will be a French braid competition and talent show taking place on the brand new stage. 

The three-day event will conclude on Sunday, June 13th.