VIRGINA- On Saturday at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center, there were two very different events going on at the same time that had the parking lots filled to capacity.
One was a ferocious hockey game, with intense competition between two teams bent on taking the other down.
The other, by contrast, could have been called a lovefest of sorts. Down the hall in a large room a short distance away from the slap shots and high sticking, approximately 200 people gathered to show love and support for each other at the first-ever Bois Forte Sobriety Powwow, an event intended to encourage those on healing journeys on the path away from addiction.
The Timberjay spoke with Band members Toni Wakemup and Joel Boshey to learn more about the unique powwow.
“Addiction does not have blinders on,” Boshey said. “It affects everybody, from every tribe, every city, every country. So, when we opened this door, we left it wide open for anyone who is willing to come and heal, to share time and space and be in a safe place in a safe environment. That’s one of the main things, having a safe place for us to practice our culture, our spirituality, and practice our recovery.”
“We’re connecting people with each other,” Wakemup said. “It’s all about connection. If we don’t have connections to our values, our traditions, our culture we’re going to stay in addiction.”
Boshey said connecting younger generations with the Band’s culture is particularly important as the number of elders continues to dwindle.
“A lot of our youth are getting away from the culture because we’re running out of teachers, we’re running out of elders to share the beliefs and how they work for them,” he said. “I have a daughter who is 17 years old. The most powerful gift I could ask for is the power to just be present, to keep living my life in a spiritual, traditional way. I don’t have all the answers, I don’t have all the old teachings, but I’m willing to learn.”
Wakemup said that 114 dancers participated in the opening grand entry Saturday afternoon, and it appeared there were at least that many for the evening grand entry as well. Over a dozen drum circles in the center of the room provided the songs for dancing. One healing song dance was led by head jingle dress dancer Elizabeth Francis and head men’s traditional dancer Curt Moon, carrying a banner between them signed by all those seeking encouragement in their healing journeys.
Medallions were also presented to attendees recognizing years of sobriety. Wakemup said one person received a 50-year medallion.
People familiar with the Band’s annual cycle of powwows know that they are connected to significant seasonal themes. The Sobriety Powwow was not scheduled in relationship to a season, but to a perceived need.
“We actually wanted to do it on New Years Eve weekend so that our people have some sober fun to come to, but because of a lack of venues for booking we had to do it this weekend,” Wakemup said.
Wakemup was quick to give the credit for pulling the powwow together to Boshey, David “Squidg” Morrison Jr. and Kristen Holmes.
“These are our champions,” she said. “The dedication, compassion, and kindness of these three humans made this happen.”
Preceding the powwow on Friday was a youth conference bringing together students from around the region to learn about historical trauma, youth suicide prevention and bullying. Wakemup said the conference was well attended and that the youth were very responsive and engaged.
The two events were made possible through the Bois Forte Healing Toward Wellness Program and a Substance Abuse Disorder Prevention grant, and additional grants from the Special Diabetes Program for Indians and Johns Hopkins University.