Garrison Common in Toronto was flooded with people as Na-Me-Res hosted its annual Pow Wow in celebration of National Indigenous History Month.
Traditional Indigenous drums and singing could be heard around the park on June 15 as performers danced in their regalia, kicking off the Pow Wow.
Na-Me-Res (Native Men’s Residence) is a Toronto-based organization that supports homeless Indigenous men by providing outreach and locating housing.
Timothy Walmsley, manager of outreach services at Na-Me-Res, said the organization started doing Pow Wows in shelters 21 years ago and has grown exponentially.
“It’s just a good gathering spot where we could see friends and make new friends,” he said. “It’s nice to reconnect with people and just to see smiles on their faces and stuff like that.”
Na-Me-Res was formed in 1985 and solely focused on helping Indigenous men in need. Walmsley said their services have since expanded.
“Originally we’re supposed to be helping Indigenous men but we help everyone. Both Native and non-Native. Both women and men,” he said.
People from all backgrounds came to experience the Pow Wow, including Vero Diaz and Alexandra Barberena. They said coming to the event was their way to learn and connect with the Indigenous Peoples in the Toronto area.
“Part of why we came [is] because it's an all-nations Pow Wow,” Barberena said. “We’re both, I guess you could say, de-tribalized from South Central America across the other parts of Turtle Island.”
She said it’s her third time coming to the Pow Wow and attending feels like fulfilling a prophecy for both of them.
“We’re just reconnecting with these nations that maybe the last time we connected was probably a few generations ago,” Barberera said.
Vendors, Indigenous food stalls and local service tents surrounded the circle where the traditional Indigenous performances took place.
More than 19,000 people from across Ontario attended last year's Pow Wow and the number has continued to increase every year, Walmsley said.
“Every year it grows so Imagine we’ll eclipse that this year,” he said. “Even when it rains people still come out. Maybe not as much but we still have tons of people. And today I’m expecting just great memories and a good time.”
Walmsley said the Pow Wow is always planned around National Indigenous People’s Day which will be celebrated this Friday, June 21.
