Thousands gather for First Nations University of Canada powwow

The Regina Brandt Centre was full of dance and song this weekend as thousands of people gathered for the First Nations University of Canada powwow.

The 38th annual spring celebration shares and celebrates First Nations culture.

"It's really important for our people," Delmont Asapace, from the Kawacatoose First Nation, said.

"There was cultural genocide — the way our culture was taken from us, our language, our culture — and sometimes this is just all we have."

• The art of making the Miss FNUniv's Powwow Princess crown
• Reigning Miss FNUniv Princess reflects on year as powwow royalty

Delmont put on his regalia beside his uncle Dexter Asapace. Dexter has been doing powwows for over 50 years.

"That's our life. That's where we get our strength from, our culture, our roots, and our identity," he said.

The come-and-go event ran on Saturday and Sunday with grand entrance ceremonies both mornings and a retiring of the flags ceremony each night. There were also dance competitions and the Miss FNUniv Princess Pageant.

The powwow also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the First Nations University of Canada.

For Ira McNab from the George Gordon First Nation, powwow is a way to connect with his identity.

"I think it's important for our culture, to keep on," he said.

For his nine-year-old brother Raynell, the powwow is also a lot of fun.

"I get to dance. Its lots of fun getting to dance," Raynell said.