This weekend Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation host the 29th Annual Three Fires Homecoming Pow Wow and Traditional Gathering at the New Credit Pow Wow Grounds located on 2789 Mississauga Road, Hagersville, Ontario, N0A 1H0.
The very popular Three Fires Pow Wow is a bit different than the Champion of Champions Pow Wow hosted by the nearby Six Nations of the Grand River at the end of July. Three Fires Pow Wow is not a competition of traditional dancers. Instead it is a celebration of traditional dancing and culture. It is smaller than the Six Nations event but many dancers and visitors find it to be more relaxed and friendly.
There are many opportunities for the audience to participate in the circle with the dancers which makes it great fun for visitors and locals alike.
The annual celebration kicks off this Friday with Karaoke at the pow wow grounds starting at 7pm. Saturday a Sunrise Ceremony will light the three sacred fires that will burn throughout the weekend, representing the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi nations of the Annishnabe Three Fires Confederacy.
The New Credit community was once located in Mississauga along the shores of the Credit River. Mississaugas traded goods at Credit River prior to the move to their new location in 1847. This First Nation was a mighty and respected trading nation with the Europeans in and around an area which included Port Credit and the City now known as Toronto.
The city of Mississauga owes its name to the Mississaugas of the New Credit. The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation is located on some 6100 acres 25 miles south of Hamilton, Ontario. They have approximately 2050 listed Ojibwe members with one third of them living on reserve.
All guests, participants and visitors are expected to show proper Pow Wow etiquette and subscribe to the rules and protocol that the pow wow circuit follows.
If you see a dropped eagle feather, please inform the MC or Arena Director, please do not touch it, as a specific song will be sung to retrieve the fallen feather. Pictures during the Flag, Prayer, Honour Songs and when an individual is honouring a drum through a whistle – should not be taken.
Pictures are allowable during “intertribal” songs (everyone is also invited to dance). Tradition is to respect the chief, veterans and elders by giving them priority in all matters concerning etiquette.
Always ask for permission before making any recordings. Children are welcome to enjoy this event, but they cannot play in the Sacred Circle. Participants are asked to respect the arena director, head male dancer and head female dancer. Please respect the work of the Cultural Committee, volunteer’s and security personnel as their time is valuable.
Please make sure to put all recyclables and garbage in appropriate containers. Guests are asked to stand and remove your hat for certain songs. You do not have to remove your hat if you have an eagle feather in it. Do not crowd around the drummers. A Friendly Reminder – All Pow Wow Festivals are Alcohol and Drug Free. No alcohol and drug use in the entire area of the Pow Wow and smoking is prohibited near the arena.
