A jingle of a weekend at Scotchfort's 20th annual powwow

Melissa Peter-Paul hasparticipatedin powwows for as long as she can remember.

"My mom would alwaysbe up late making regalia and she always made sure I sat with her."

Now Peter-Paul is the one making regalia and jingle dresses and a variety of other Mi'kmaq handwork.

She'll be dressing several family members with her handy work this weekend.It marks the 20th anniversary of the Mawi'omi (powwow) in Scotchfort P.E.I.

The Abegweit First Nation has a number of activities and free meals planned.

There is a powwow trail in the Maritimes and this is the second on that trail.

"My family we always went to powwow, it was the thing we did every weekend," said Peter-Paul.

"I started at a young age, so the friends you know, the friendships Imade on the trail wecall them powwow family."

For newcomers to a powwow Peter-Paul suggests the grand entry which starts at 1 p.m.both days.

"If people are shy there will be someone there to teach the steps.There will be head dancers, flag carriers and all other dancers such as grass dancers, shawl and jingle," said Peter-Paul.

There's a free breakfast each day from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and a feast at 5 p.m. which is also open to everyone.

The artist is excited to show off her new outfit.

"I'll be wearing my new jingle dress, it's navy with purple trim and it has 265 jingles sewn on, it took me sixdays," Peter-Paul said.

"Iprayed and put tobacco down before putting the jingles on the dress, it's called a healing dress."

This weekend's powwowisone stop ona summer-longpowwow trail across the Maritimes.

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