Ivan Lonechild has been dancing powwow for more than four decades.
鈥淚鈥檓 66 today, and still going strong,鈥� he told Yorkton This Week during a break at the traditional powwow being held in Yorkton this weekend. The event is being organized by Yorkton Tribal Council Child and Family Services with a focus on 鈥楬onouring Our Children, Our Families鈥�.
Lonechild said he became interested in dancing at a young age.
鈥淒ad used to be a powwow singer,鈥� he said. 鈥淢e and my two brothers used to dance around the stove (when he sang at home).鈥�
Then, when attending school in his early years there was a dance club he was involved in.
鈥淚 just kept on going,鈥� he said.
Lonechild who now hails from White Bear First Nations in southeast Saskatchewan said he simply grew to appreciate powwow was both a spiritual thing, and a competitive aspect, adding the latter is a big draw for him.
鈥淭he competition, being a good dancer with other dancers from all across Canada and the U.S., it鈥檚 not only cultural and spiritual, but also a competitive sport,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭hat competitive spirit kept ne interested, kept me wanting to be better.鈥�
Lonechild is a grass dancer, also often referred to as traditional style.
鈥淚n my mind it鈥檚 about strength and balance to be in time with the drum,鈥� he said.
As an experienced dancer Lonechild said he appreciates a good drum and how their effort helps those dancing.
鈥淭o me, a good drum and that first hit on the drum, a feeling comes through your body that says 鈥榯his will be a good song鈥�,鈥� he said.
There was a time Lonechild hit the powwow trail pretty hard, taking in about 30 a year. Today he is content getting to about half that many. A few are traditional like the one in Yorkton, but he still prefers the excitement of competitive powwows where dancers are judged.
鈥淭his is kind of like a social gathering,鈥� he said of the Yorkton event at the Nexera Flexihall, adding there is more laughing at such an event, but less feeding of one鈥檚 competitive spirit.
