VYPER Reclaiming Youth Powwow

Details

VYPER: Visionary Youth Peers for Equity and Revitalization – are a local group of Indigenous youth who are hosting a competition powwow on the grounds of the former St-Mary’s Residential School in Mission BC. The event is expected to have over 2500 spectators per day, and 400 Indigenous dancers of all ages competing for prizes in a variety of categories including Traditional, Fancy, Jingle, and Shawl. Each dance has a rich history and deep meaning for the dancers involved. The youth hosting it are ages 15 to 29 from a variety of different backgrounds, who all have a passion for harm reduction and wellness through Indigenous Cultural Revitalization.

This event is organized entirely by a team of Indigenous youth, many of whom have lived experience in the foster care system or are 2nd or 3rd generation residential school survivors, all coming together to make healing happen for the community. There will be people travelling from all over BC and different parts of Canada to attend the event.

The event is on the grounds of the former residential school and will be decorated with arbors featuring twinkle lights and hand-picked cedar for a traditional feel. The group is truly reclaiming Indigenous culture, and this event is going to be amazing!

They are also hosting an American Sign Language interpretation night at this event, and it will be one of the first powwows in BC with ASL interpretation available. This section is sponsored by another youth-led initiative called Mayday Club Youth Choir.

People will begin arriving on Friday at around 2PM, but the dancing starts at 7PM and goes until about 10PM. We have activities planned for all of Saturday starting around 10:00am, and plan to wrap up around 10PM. Powwow sessions (grand entry times) will be 1PM and 7PM on Saturday. On Sunday, we have events starting at 10am, but the grand entry will be 1PM and we will close off the event around 5PM.