Alderville Pow Wow

Today's hike was a 5 km trek over the hilly terrain which makes up the Alderville First Nation's land. Not only were we in for some challenging hills, many of us were going to attend our very first Pow Wow after the hike.

Pine Ridge Hiking Club's president is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to local native history. After telling us a short overview of how the Alderville First Nation came to be, Jay read a land acknowledgement agreement and we headed off.

Nothing like starting a hike with a bang. What a hill!

There are some beautiful mainly oak forests in this part of the county.

After making our way through the unmaintained road, we headed north on Minnetonka Road.

The skies were wonderfully clear today.

The weather was perfect.

At various points along the way, Jay enlightened us about changes to laws regarding First Nations' land ownership. We enjoyed lovely views of Rice Lake, sometimes just glimpses, and this time much clearer.

Heading west on the 4th Line the hills kept coming.

I've got good spotters in the club now. They know I carry a camera and often will point out interesting sights that I may have missed. Hmmmm.... which way?

Aha!

Jay stopped the group at a safe spot along the road to show us land which was recently acquired by the nation. He told us that he'd helped with controlled burns in the spring on part of this land. It is being restored to a tall grass prairie.

The rest of the new parcel of land has been planted to solar panels.

Back at the cars, driving directions were given to the Pow Wow.

There are benefits to getting older - elders had free admission! At $6/adult, this event is the bargain of month.

We were fortunate to find seats under the big tent where little girls were getting ready for their dances. Do you see her Mom's skirt? She made it.

I need a sponsor for this post: I think it will be the sound of jingling skirts.

I could have spent the day photographing skirts. Beautiful ribbon skirts...

... and dresses.... colourful dresses....

..... and wondering How does she sit comfortably wearing that skirt?

Our hikers scattered throughout the Pow Wow grounds. Ted & I treated ourselves to plates of Indian Tacos - oh so good! Taco salad with bannock! Yum! We ate it slowly because we didn't want the experience to end. It was so good!

There are dozens of tents around the perimeter of the Pow Wow grounds. Working with beads and quills, this artist was helping passers-by create a communal piece of art.

And, the back was as beautifully finished as the front.

There was an atmosphere of a family reunion everywhere.

Booths were checked out.

Smiles were smiled.

Crafts were displayed and sold.

And, dances were danced. Isn't that little guy in the background the cutest?

I felt like I was watching royalty walk by.

The Pow Wow will continue tomorrow too.

I think the dancers will be tired after two days of activity. Those moccasins will have covered a lot of ground.

When we left the Pow Wow, Jay had one more destination for us. He'd learned about a Direction Tree from Rick Beaver, an Alderville fine artist. We drove to the end of an unmaintained road and parked our cars. And, yet another glimpse of Rice Lake.

Jay wanted us to experience what it would have been like for native travellers who would have walked to Rice Lake to harvest rice. How would they have found their way? We were tasked to look for a direction tree. We had no idea what a direction tree would look like. I envisioned an old oak with branches pointing in various directions that might have possible meaning.

And, there it was!

This tree had been bent as a sapling in the direction of Rice Lake. They figure it may be 250 years old. If that tree could talk.

I am so happy that this day happened. We will be back.