Sioux Valley cancels 2026 Winterfest
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Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has cancelled its 2026 Winterfest, an annual event that brings together Indigenous people for sports and cultural activities at Keystone Centre in Brandon.
The First Nation released a public statement on Thursday saying the decision was made after careful consideration.
Chief Jennifer Bone told the Sun it was a difficult choice to make.
Dancers take part in a powwow during a past Dakota Nation Winterfest at the Keystone Centre. (File)
“The decision to cancel this year’s Winterfest was not made lightly and we understand the dissapointment this brings,” Bone said. “Our goal is to protect this important cultural and sporting tradition for future generations.”
Bone, elected last month in a vote that has been disputed by the former chief, said the First Nation is committed to bringing the event back in 2027.
The postponement this year will allow proper time to plan and prepare, the First Nation’s public statement said.
The chief told CBC this week that there had been no work done to plan or sponsor the event before she came into office after the First Nation’s mid-November election.
The festival ran this year from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2, with a list of events such as poker, volleyball, billiards, hockey and a language competition. The annual event draws Indigenous people from Canada and the United States. Bone said it is a celebration of culture, families and unity as Indigenous people.
The cancellation this year follows a hiccup the year before.
Sioux Valley posted a news bulletin in 2024 that said the event had “taken on a substantial loss, even with sponsorships and gate revenue,” in previous years. The event was split to address shortfalls and was planned to host sports in the winter, and culture programming in the spring, the bulletin said.
» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com