A popular celebration of First Nations culture and pride returns this weekend to Earl Marriott Secondary.
From March 8-10, the South Surrey high school will be buzzing with dancers, drummers, displays, vendors and more, for the Earl Marriott Semiahmoo First Nation Pow Wow, an effort that has been “going strong for the better part of 25 years.”
“It’s a huge cultural celebration,” teacher sponsor Mark Figueira said Tuesday (March 5).
Held with “unwavering support” from SFN, the powwow has grown into a much-anticipated staple at the school, in the community and beyond. Last year’s event drew some 1,500 attendees over the course of the weekend, and a similar turnout is expected this year.
Participants are travelling from locations including Lillooet and the Interior, for an event Figueira said has many reserving space for on their calendars far ahead of the weekend itself.
“The Earl Marriott powwow has a really good following in the Pacific Northwest,” he said.
READ MORE: ‘Very grounding’ powwow returns to South Surrey high school after three-year pause
Cole Ferguson and Paige Jorgensen are just two of the many student volunteers involved in the powwow.
Jorgensen, in Grade 11, described it as “a great opportunity to connect with a lot of different people.”
“There’s so many different vendors and shops and people who are willing to share, it’s just a great community event to get involved in,” she said.
Ferguson, in Grade 12, said it’s something he “always looks forward to.”
“There’s people dancing and drumming the whole time. It’s really electric,” he said.
Figueira said Indigenous scholars in residence are visiting EMS classrooms to share their stories and knowledge with students, as part of an effort to tie the learning with the powwow.
Figueira said highlights of the weekend include the Northern Tribes drum group, who are “really, really popular with the powwow community,” as well as up to seven other drum groups.
“We’re getting people that are coming from far and wide to be dancers and vendors,” he added.
“It brings people together… all in the spirit of reconciliation and doing that important work.”
Funds raised through the powwow will benefit excursions next year for Indigenous education field studies. Ferguson and Jorgensen are among 72 students currently in the Earl Marriott First Nations program.
Doors open at 6 p.m. on March 5, and at noon on March 9 and 10. There will be a Grand Entry at 7 p.m. on the Friday, 1 and 7 p.m. on the Saturday, and 1 p.m. on the Sunday. The school is located at 15751 16 Ave.
