Museum summer student's 'culture case' will teach others about powwows

What started as a passion project for a summer student working at the museum in Indian Head, Sask., will become an educational tool. 

Nevaeh Stevenson from Keeseekoose First Nation said she didn't know what she wanted her main focus to be for her time at the museum in the city about 70 kilometres east of Regina, but as she looked around the museum she noticed First Nations cultures were missing.

Stevenson decided to make a "culture in a suitcase" teaching tool.

"My goal was to teach people more about powwows," said Stevenson.

"People jump to conclusions and a lot of people have stereotypes about powwow dancing." 

Stevenson said some people don't understand each dance has a different meaning. There are a lot of different teachings when it comes to powwow dancing and each nation will have different stories behind the dances, songs and drums. 

"Everything is kind of similar when it comes to powwows, but it's also different in their own way," she said.

She went to the Cega'kin Nakoda powwow on Carry the Kettle First Nation to learn about the dances and songs from the elders, dancers, and singers. 

One of the things that stood out to Stevenson was learning about women's fancy shawl dancing. 

"There's so many tribes and so many different stories about the fancy dance, and how it came to be," she said. 

"Some people may think [woman's fancy is] a representation of the butterfly or the warrior dance, but it actually represents the women back then who wanted to dance like the men because women were not allowed to dance inside the circle. They were only allowed to dance outside of the circle at one time." 

Stevenson was told it started with women putting on men's fancy dance outfits and dancing with the men. Sometimes they danced even better than men because they were quicker and lighter on their feet. 

She compiled everything she learned and made a tiny powwow arbour to go along with the booklet in her culture case. 

"I hope that people actually learn and interact with it," she said.

"I hope it has a voice and it speaks to them…. It's my culture box, it carries my people, it carries my knowledge, and I just kind of wanted to put it out there."  

Cases go to schools

Robyn Jensen, vice-president of the Indian Head Museum, said every year summer students are asked to take on a passion project. 

"It's whatever their imagination sort of transpires," she said.

"We like to leave it open for the students because it's really important for the youth to have a voice in our museum, and I think a lot of people underestimate the power and the ingenuity of young people." 

Jensen said the culture cases — another summer student is making one about the Filipino community — will be in schools over the winter and then come back to the museum to be on display during the summer.