Manito Ahbee is a festival of North American Indigenous culture, art, music, and dance that takes place in Winnipeg each May. It includes North America’s second largest pow wow featuring more than 800 dancers who compete for prize money. If you’ve never been to a pow wow, it’s an exhilarating experiencing that is difficult to convey in words or even photos. It’s awesome in the true sense of that word.
Adventurous travellers cross the globe in a quest to experience authentic and traditional cultures. Remarkably, most non-Indigenous people in my province have had little exposure to Aboriginal culture despite the fact that we have a significant Indigenous population here. Perhaps it’s not that surprising given Canada’s colonial history and the tragic legacy of a residential school system, which was designed to degrade and extinguish any expression of traditional culture. The sad reality is that there remains a divide in our country with respect to the Indigenous community and with it a corresponding ignorance of its rich, enduring culture.
Part of the mandate of the Manito Ahbee Festival is to bridge that divide. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn about North America’s First Peoples, which to be clear, is not a monolithic “culture.” There are many nations represented in what we refer to as “Aboriginal” and although there may be some similar core traditions, there are many variations.
Steve and I attended Manito Ahbee for the first time this year at the invitation of David Dandeneau, the festival’s board of governors’ chair. We were honoured to be included in the pow wow’s grand entry as his guests, meaning we had a special place at the centre of the dance circle as all of the dancers came in. It was a one-of-a-kind experience to be surrounded by the pulsing beat of the drum, powerful singing, and the colourful regalia of all of those dancers coming in at once. Amazing!
Every dancer we spoke to at the event was welcoming and open to questions and us taking photos. There were many smiles and because dancers travel from all over North America to compete on the pow wow circuit, there were lots of handshakes and hugs between dancers who were coming together once again. There’s a great, celebratory vibe, which is what a pow wow is all about. It’s a big party!
If you live in Manitoba, you need to go to Manito Ahbee. If you’re a traveller coming through our province in May you need to put it on your agenda. You will not be disappointed.
The Sights and Sounds of the Mantio Ahbee Pow Wow
Two fancy bustle dancers prepare for grand entry.
From left: A jingle and traditional dancer.
I found dancers were happy to pose for a photo.
Pow wows are a family affair, with young and old taking part.
Some are really young. Adorable!
Wonderful to see the full on pride of these young dancers.
Dancers work on their regalia for many, many hours. The designs and beadwork are incredible.
Originally, the jingles on dresses were made from the lids of snuff cans. Very innovative.
The vibrant colours and detail on display are incredible.
A little bit of tradition, a little bit of tech. Love this shot.
Grand Entry at the Pow Wow
It’s really hard to convey exactly what it’s like to be in the midst of hundreds of dancers at once. I gave it a try with this video collage:
Tips for Attending a Pow Wow
- The outfits dancers wear are referred to as regalia, not costumes. Costumes are something people wear to masquerade parties and on Halloween. Regalia has deep cultural and spiritual significance.
- Do not touch regalia without asking permission.
- Stand during special songs such as during the grand entry. Pay attention to the announcers who will guide you.
- Ask permission before taking close-up shots of dancers.
Manito Ahbee takes place annually in mid May in Winnipeg. Events include an Indigenous music conference and concert, art expo and challenge, a marketplace and trade show, as well as the spectacular pow wow we attended. You can find other North American pow wows listed on the Pow Wow Calendar website.
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Experiencing Indigenous Culture at Manito Ahbee 2016.
It is open to everyone, promoting the unity of all nations on Turtle Island. You don’t have to be indigenous to attend any of the events, and it is a great way to learn about customs and histories; in fact, you are encouraged to ask questions, as Manito Ahbee is all about the sharing of cultures.
It is open to everyone, promoting the unity of all nations on Turtle Island. You don’t have to be indigenous to attend any of the events, and it is a great way to learn about customs and histories; in fact, you are encouraged to ask questions, as Manito Ahbee is all about the sharing of cultures.
Yes, I like that about the event. I felt very welcome.
[…] If you ever have the opportunity to attend a pow wow in North America, go! The pow wow at Manito Ahbee is a phenomenal way to experience indigenous culture. […]