“Excited,” was the word used repeatedly by Kristine Jack as her vision of reviving the Penticton Indian Band powwow is coming to fruition.
“I’m just happy it’s here, it’s a reality. It’s not just ‘oh the powwow,’ it’s here it’s beyond me now,” Jack said with a joyous laugh.
When asked which out of the many events this weekend she is most excited for, Jack said the afternoon of July 16, where the original Four Seasons club that Jack’s mother was a part of will be honoured. (Read more on Four Seasons club here)
“This whole process was to honour the Four Seasons War Dance Club, the directors, the committee that really pulled this together, and we’re doing that on Saturday,” Jack said.
Jack has reinvigorated the club, now the five-member Four Seasons Cultural Society putting on the powwow.
The Grand Entry begins at 1 p.m. July 16 and around 2:30 p.m. there is a ceremony planned to honour the original members, two of the six will be in attendance.
“That’s really what this is all about, to acknowledge that committee that started this all,” Jack said.
In 1970, Jack’s mother belonged to a ladies club which eventually formed into the Four Seasons War Dance Club, putting on an annual powwow from 1971 to 1978. Before she died in 2001, Jack’s mother asked her to bring back the powwow, to unite people in Penticton through an expression of her culture. “She taught me well, I just followed by her lead and ... I know she’s going to be proud,” Jack said.
Penticton Indian Band Chief Jonathan Kruger himself had just dropped off 12 freshly caught salmon he was able to catch near Okanagan Falls for some very fresh eating at the powwow
“Our council is really happy with the community members that wanted to revive the powwow, it was successful years ago and I’m really proud of the Jack family for reviving it,” Kruger said. “People are stepping up and donating salmon and meat.”
The salmon barbecue starts at 4 p.m. July 15, and the grounds open at noon with vendors and dancers arriving throughout the day to prepare for the festivities.
Kruger was inspired by Jack’s initiative in reviving the event.
“I was listening to Kristine Jack saying she wanted to get that pride back and that celebration and just share the PIB. They want to have a successful, fun event, and make people feel good,” Kruger said.
Jack is already looking at next year’s powwow, with directors meetings starting in August hoping to bolster the event with even more to do.
“It’s going to get bigger and better and it’s bringing so much more to Penticton, not just the powwow next year,” Jack said.
A men’s and women’s fastball tournament is going to be in the works, as well as a soccer tournament, a youth ball hockey tournament and a golf tournament as well.
“Penticton will be the place to be,” Jack said. “For all cultures, not just First Nations, for all cultures.”
Signs on Green Mountain Road and West Bench Way are set up providing directions to Outma Squilx Cultural School and admission is a toonie per day. As well, a stick game tournament will take place all weekend. For more information visit the Four Seasons Cultural Society on Facebook.
Schedule of events
July 15 at noon grounds open, vendors registration, Princess Pageant registration, dancers registration
July 15 at 3 p.m. concessions open
July 15 at 4 to 7 p.m. Salmon BBQ $10.00 per plate
July 15 at 4 p.m. Stick game Registration
July 15 at 7 p.m. Grand Entry
July 16 at 7 a.m. concession open — serving breakfast
July 16 at 1 p.m. Grand Entry
July 16 at 5 p.m. concession serving Indian Tacos $7
July 16 at 7 p.m. Grand Entry
July 16 at 7:20 p.m. PowerPoint presentation
July 16 at 8 p.m. Princess Pageant crowning
July 17 at 7 a.m. Concession Open — serving breakfast
July 17 at 10 - 1130 a.m. Feast and giveaway/
History of Four Seasons War Dance Club
July 17 at 1 p.m. Grand Entry
** Annual Stick game tournament will run all weekend July 15-17th **