Winterfest kicks off big weekend

By: Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative Posted: 3:00 AM CST Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s Winterfest kicked off on Thursday at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, drawing people from far and wide who gathered to take in a four-day celebration of Indigenous culture.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/01/2024 (600 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s the 26th year that the event has taken place, which organizer Jocelyn Ross previously told the Sun is one of Sioux Valley’s most important celebrations. From powwow to jigging, singing, sports events and traditional games, with more than 75 hockey teams registered, the weekend is set to be a busy one.

Things got underway Thursday with the opening hockey game and a powwow took take place Friday evening, consisting of five competition categories, including traditional, fancy, chicken, grass and jingle dances for dancers in the tiny tots, juniors, teens, adult and golden age categories.

Dancers take part in the powwow at the Dakota Nation Winterfest at the Keystone Centre on Friday evening. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

The tradeshow opened at 9 a.m. yesterday, and the hockey tournament continued at that same time. A pool tournament kicked off at 10 a.m. upstairs in the MNP Room and a volleyball tournament began at noon in the Healthy Living Centre at Brandon University (BU). Another pool tournament started at noon.

Today’s events begin with an 8 a.m. basketball game and a 9 a.m. volleyball game at the Healthy Living Centre at BU. The pool tournament will continue, as will the hockey tournament. Registration for the moccasin game opens in Salon A at the Keystone Centre at 9 a.m. and talent show registration takes part in the UCT Pavilion at the same time.

The first moccasin game gets underway at noon in Salon A and a powwow grand entry happens at 1 p.m. in the Manitoba Room. Doors open for bingo in the Canada Room at 4 p.m. and another powwow grand entry takes place in the Manitoba Room at 7 p.m.

The gate opens for admission at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, with the basketball, volleyball, pool and hockey tournaments continuing that morning. The tradeshow opens at 10 a.m. and registration for square dancing begins in the UCT Pavilion at 11 a.m.

Another powwow is scheduled to take place tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Six-year-old Lili Kaysaywaysemat enjoys some cotton candy while waiting for the Powwow Grand Entry to start.

Thousands of people come to the event from all across Canada and the United States, Carol Johnson, another organizer of the event, previously told the Sun.

“They book their hotel a year in advance, so the economic spinoffs are pretty good for the whole region,” she said.

Tickets to Winterfest cost $20 for adults and $10 for youth. There is no cost for attendees six years old and under and 60 years old and over.

» The Brandon Sun