Sioux Valley’s Winterfest ‘an amazing experience’

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This article was published 18/01/2024 (652 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An Indigenous sports and cultural event that’s 26 years strong is a go for next week in Brandon.

Winterfest is one of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s (SVDN) signature events, with people coming together to celebrate Indigenous culture each January, says Jocelyn Ross, a member of the organizing committee.

There will be traditional activities including powwow, jigging, singing and moccasin games, as well as volleyball, three-on-three basketball, pool and hockey tournaments.

“We already have more than 75 hockey teams registered, so we’re ready to go for next week,” Ross said.

The four-day event will run from Jan. 25-28, with all events and competitions held at the Keystone Centre except for volleyball and three-on-three basketball, which will be held at Brandon University’s Health Living Centre, said Carol Johnson, organizing committee member.

The puck drops Thursday for the opening hockey game, with players in four divisions competing for their own championship: senior, 40 plus, women and minor (18 and under).

“Winterfest is a one-of-a-kind event in Canada,” said Johnson, who was recently elected to SVDN council.

“It is an amazing experience,” she said. “We encourage anybody to come and just enjoy themselves and learn a little bit. It’s good to experience other cultures.

“Our gate fee is $20 for adults and that’s for the whole day. You can watch any sport, you can see Indigenous arts and crafts at the trade show, watch the talent show, the square dancing and the powwow.”

There are five competition categories for this year’s powwow: traditional, fancy, chicken, grass and jingle. The age groups are tiny tots, juniors, teens, adult and golden age.

A grand entry will be held for each of the four powwow performances, Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

“We have thousands of people who come from across Canada and the United States,” Johnson said. “And they book their hotel a year in advance, so the economic spinoffs are pretty good for the whole region.”

Last June, SVDN won the 2023 Indigenous tourism award from Tourism Westman for its significant contributions to tourism development and promotion.

New this year for Winterfest, organizers have added an additional bingo night.

“We’re adding a Friday night bingo,” Johnson said. “Previously it was just the one on Saturday, and it was held earlier in the day. So this year, we’re having bingo on both Friday and Saturday evenings.”

The talent show and square dance competition will be held Saturday and Sunday, with youth, adult and intermediate levels.

And for the men, the traditional moccasin game returns, with $1,600 going to the team that wins first prize.

“My uncles play, and they always tell us it’s a man’s game, so they don’t teach us the ins and outs,” Johnson said as she laughed.

“But each team has four mats in front of them. So, then they’ll take an object and they’ll hide it under one of the mats, and the other team has to get it in the first try,” Johnson said.

Registration has closed for the team sports, but entries will be accepted on the day of competition for the powwow, talent show, square dancing, jigging, singing and moccasin games.

Admission for Winterfest is $20 for adults and $10 for youth. There is no admission for those ages six and under or 60 plus.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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