Pavilion shines light on Indigenous tradition and culture at Canadian Western Agribition

The Indigenous pavilion, which showcases Saskatchewan's Indigenous culture through storytelling, art and dance, is in its fifth year at the Canadian Western Agribition.

• Agribition underway in Regina
• Long-time volunteer John Willmott a 'brand' name at Regina Agribition
• International Trade Centre ready in time for Agribition

The pavilion was established to share Indigenous culture with Agribition goers of all ages.

"Back in 1999, I had a vision of Indigenous inclusion," said Elmer Eashappie, founder of the CWA Indigenous pavilion.

"As a kid growing up I never really saw a lot of First Nation coming to the Agribition...the whole idea was to have a cultural understanding of who we are as First Nation people."

It's not a matter of how loud your bells are, it's a matter of keeping your bells in time with that drum.- Conrad Medicine Rope

Eashappie said he wanted activities to be interactive when they visited the pavilion.

"Kids would have an opportunity to come and talk in a First Nation language. How to say a cow, how to say a horse in the Sioux language or the Cree or the Saulteaux language."

This year's pavilion features:

• Skinning buffalo hide.
• Drum making presentations by Buffalo Arts Institute.
• Storytelling by Elder Dennis Omeasoo.
• Pow wow dance demonstrations by Conrad Medicine Rope and his family.

Pow wow dancing a way of life

Conrad Medicine Rope is teaching pow wow dance demonstrations.

"I want to carry on tradition, I want to carry on culture, I want to teach that to my kids and my grandkids," said Medicine Rope.

"They all look up to me as a teacher and a role model. I continue my dance style so (they) can carry that on for their kids (and) their grandkids."

Medicine Rope performed the warrior dance, which is more commonly known as men's traditional. He was joined by his wife Raylene, who danced women's northern traditional, andhis daughter who danced jingle dress.

"The bells we wear [signify]our bravery, our courage that we weren't scared to let them know that we were coming. We still go and count coup on them," said a smiling Medicine Rope.

"It's not a matter of how loud your bells are, it's a matter of keeping your bells in time with that drum."

Looking to the future of the Indigenous pavilion, Eashappie said he hopes to see representation from "other [Indigenous]tribes throughout North America and International countries."