Pow Wow to the people

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by GEORGE MADDUX

If you've never munched a mooseburger, boogied in a traditional native dance, or quibbled over the price of inexpensive Indian crafts, you'll get a chance to break your losing streak this weekend at the Old Port. The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal, a group that assists non-reserve-based natives living in the city, is expecting 3,000 visitors at the bash. The party will feature performers from across the continent to celebrate tradition, friendship and the 25th anniversary of the centre.

"This is our biggest fundraiser of the year," says representative Tanja Steinbach. "We count on this event to support our work helping the 10,000 natives living in the city." She says the funds are particularly needed after last year's Pow Wow was bled by a guest celebrity (an actor from North of Sixty) who made an unanticipated demand for payment.

Some dos and don'ts for the Pow Wow. Do get "smudged" by an elder when he offers to purify you with sweetgrass, tobacco, sage and cedar. Do show up for the grand entry parade at noon. Do check out the jingle dress, made of tobacco tins, which have healing powers. Do observe the colourful and rhythmical grass, fancy and smoke dances. Do bring your little papooses.

Don'ts: don't refuse an invitation to join in on an intertribal dance. Don't wear a hat during flag songs. Don't refer to traditional regalia as "costumes." Don't pick up ceremonial feathers fallen to the ground. And don't miss it. Saturday, Sept.9, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 10, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Adults $6, students/seniors $4, children under 12 free.

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