Kahomani highlights resources for urban Indigenous people

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This article was published 04/04/2022 (1668 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The sound of Kahomani drums, singing and laughter filled the Mahkaday Ginew Memorial Centre Saturday during an event that celebrated the start of spring and highlighted resources for urban Indigenous people.

The Kahomani “Bringing Communities Together” celebration was an opportunity for community members to reset, connect and feel good, said Megan McKay, prevention supervisor for Dakota Tiwahe’s Brandon office. Dakota Tiwahe is a family-centred organization that provides programs and resources to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation community members.

Saturday marked the first time Dakota Tiwahe has been able to host an event in person since expanding to Brandon in December.

“In the community, there are resources and you have to develop them, but out here [Brandon] they’re already there,” McKay said. “We’re connecting and we’re bringing the communities together.”

The Kahomani offered a chance to introduce the Brandon-based Dakota Tiwahe to community members while showcasing different supports and resources in the city including Dakota Tiwahe, the Brandon Friendship Centre, Three Sisters Bannock House and Ask Auntie.

Urban outreach and introducing different resources and supports to those in need remains pivotal, McKay said. Connecting with other organizations can help prevent overlap of services while filling in gaps of needed resources and support.

Gathering for the Kahomani provided a sense of healing and an opportunity to connect after feeling the intense isolation of COVID-19.

The gathering included door prizes and a survey for those in attendance to help better understand the needs of the community.

“We’re asking what type of activities do you need and the public is responding really good to it,” McKay said. “There’s so many ideas, and it’s good if you incorporate what the community wants.”

Those in attendance were able to create a warm atmosphere, she said, and the joy emanating from people was evident as they joined the dance circle while learning about cultural traditions.

The Kahomani was a chance to teach the excitement of these traditions to kids, McKay said, adding emcee Bill Taylor of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation provided additional insights during the event.

“Some of the families that I’m working with aren’t connected to their culture, so they’re here tonight,” McKay said. “It’s a good vibe for sure,” McKay said.

Community member Valerie Sandy helped organize the Kahomani. She saw it as an opportunity to be involved with the community while giving back.

Gatherings are essential, she said, because they allow people to come together while being reminded of their Indigenous roots.

A Kahomani — couples dance — is typically held in the winter, Sandy said, but because of COVID-19, organizers wanted to bring something to the community to mark the start of spring.

“It’s bringing couples together, Kahomani actually means to dance in a circle,” Sandy said. “We wanted to bring it as a family gathering.”

Sandy added it is a challenging time in the Indigenous community as members heal from traumas including residential schools, the ’60s Scoop, substance use and deaths — there was a need to create positive experiences.

It can be challenging for Indigenous people living in an urban setting, she said, because there is a lack of access to traditional ceremonies and events they would celebrate in their home communities.

It is a different environment in urban settings, and Brandon Indigenous organizations are continually working to bring these traditions and cultural practices to the community.

“We have to bring these things here,” Sandy said. “My heart is happy. It’s really healing.”

Ceremonies and gatherings remind people about the community and that there are people willing to help and provide support in times of need.

“The community needed this,” Sandy said. “We’re still here, we’re still alive. As hard as it is and as hard as life can be, we still continue on.”

Community participant Sandy Bunn said the Kahomani turned out “fabulous” and praised the organizers for bringing it all together.

She enjoyed dancing and listening to the drummers and singers. Bunn brought her four children with her to help teach them the importance of dance and the cultural teachings associated with Kahomani.

The pandemic is ongoing, she said, but as things continue to open up, there is a need to take advantage of community gatherings that can take place. Many people felt isolated during the pandemic and it was a welcome return to normal connecting with the community.

The Kahomani marked one of the first times Bunn and her family have been able to come out since before the pandemic hit.

“I think it’s a really awesome opportunity for the community to come together to enjoy nights like this,” Bunn said. “It’s just an all-around good time.”

Ask Auntie Brandon co-ordinator Florence Halcrow said the organization was on hand to assist with the Kahomani.

“When the community comes together, we all take part in helping,” Halcrow said.

She described it as a wonderful night filled with fun and positivity. It has been two years since this was a possible and essential opportunity.

Gatherings help keep people connected and pass down traditions to youth, Halcrow said, while providing a ray of light in challenging times.

“They get to hear the drum and take part in the traditional fun events that we have,” Halcrow said. “It’s good to come together because it keeps our mind at a balance and the community at a balance to stay together.”

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

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