The annual Chief Will Yum Father’s Day Pow Wow is well under way at the Chief Will Yum Campsite south of Williams Lake.
With dances happening throughout the day, an open concession serving bannock, burgers and other tasty treats and a lehal tournament, the event has been very well attended so far, said one of the organizers, Virginia Gilbert.
“We have people from all across B.C. and even from Saskatchewan,” she said.
Everyone is welcome to attend the yearly traditional event said Gilbert, and dancing will continue into the evening on Saturday, and throughout the day Sunday.
“We have all different kinds of dancers: fancy dancers or traditional dancers for different categories, such as adults, teens and toddlers,” she said.
At 5 p.m. on Saturday, the Williams Lake Indian Band hosted a traditional feast for all attendees.
“We feed all the people because we are a traditional powwow,” said Gilbert. “This is our way, we don’t charge anybody except to make money to pay the drummers and the MC.”
The beautiful weather has been a blessing, said Gilbert.
“We’re so happy with what is going on.”
The powwow will continue on Sunday at 7 p.m. with a Grand Entry and dances will continue long into the evening.
Festivities will begin again in the morning, with breakfast at the Sugar Shack from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m., the Lehal tournament beginning again at 10 a.m. and then a grand entree at 12 p.m.
At 12:30 there will be a princess pageant Brave Dance Off and crowning, and numerous styles of dance continuing into the afternoon.
