Darren Bird Jr., of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, left, and Tristan Carter of Onion Lake Cree Nation, dance at the Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation (MGBHLM) three-day powwow on July 5, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

By Kenneth Cheung

2025 POWWOW SEASON

‘Promise to keep dancing forever’: Youth, families celebrate record MGBHLM powwow

Jul 7, 2025 | 1:08 PM

When Tristan Carter ties on his regalia, he’s keeping a promise made to the woman who made sure her family stayed close to the powwow circle.

“My late Kôhkom, my grandmother, she got us all into dancing,” said Carter, who’s from Onion Lake Cree Nation.

“She was the one who got all of our outfits put together, and gave us that strong will to dance. And then she passed away, so we made a promise to keep dancing forever.”

Carter is the first generation in his family to dance, and he’s proud to stand alongside friends like Darren Bird Jr., who travelled from Montreal Lake Cree Nation.

“My whole family does and they always tell me to [dance],” Bird Jr. said. “It’s just my leisure time, my fun time. Dance for the people who can’t dance anymore, for all the others, it’s a good prayer.”

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The two were among more than 550 dancers who gathered at Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation (MGBHLM) on July 6 for this year’s powwow — a three-day event that drew thousands from across North America, starting July 4.

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

“This is fabulous. This is the largest number of dancers and drummers, visitors from all across Turtle Island,” said MGBHLM Chief Tanya Stone. “We’re really, really pleased to see the turnout.”

Stone said she estimates 3,000 to 4,000 people joined each day of the gathering. She credits the powwow committee and community volunteers for making it all possible.

“We have a tremendous amount of amazing people, our powwow committee — Judy [Pahsaknunk] is our president, Milton [Oxebin], Jobina [Keskotagan] and Michelle [Daniels] — for taking that lead to bring our people together,” she said.

“Our nation … stepped up and helped and are here supporting and are part of this celebration. We’re so grateful.”

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Alexianna Moosomin, Carson Paskemin and Bella Armstrong pose for a picture during the three-day MGBHLM powwow on July 5, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

For young families like Kyla Henry’s, it’s about passing on that sense of pride and belonging. Henry, who now lives in Manitoba, travelled back to visit family at Sweetgrass First Nation.

“It makes me really emotional, because I’m proud. I’m proud that my baby gets to grow up this way,” she said. “I’m proud that I get to be a part of our culture for continuing on through my baby.”

Kyla Henry holds her baby, Waaseese Henry-Batzel, alongside her husband, Aidan Henry, at the three-day powwow hosted by Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation on July 5, 2025. The family travelled from Manitoba to reconnect with their culture and community. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

(Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Jrayden Hart and Jordon Hart. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

Bird Jr. and Carter said they want anyone curious about powwows to know they’re welcome in the circle.

“This powwow is just like a celebration of life, man,” Carter added. “Inner tribals are for everyone. Doesn’t matter if you’re white, doesn’t matter if you’re Indigenous or anything. Anyone can dance in that.”

The 2025 MGBHLM powwow committe (From left to right): Michelle Daniels, Milton Oxebin, Judy Pahsaknunk and Jobina Keskotagan.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com