Pow Wow Planning, No Small Feat

August 16, 2022

Treaty One Territory, Manitoba

AMC Communications

Today the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs would like to highlight and honour the hard work of Fisher River First Nation’s Pow Wow Committee. The past few years have been tough. Between navigating a pandemic and the threat of flooding this spring, there has been no shortage of challenges, and the community needed a good celebration. Kinanâskomitin to the FRCN Pow Wow Committee for their dedication and hard work in planning their annual Treaty Days Pow Wow.

The Annual Pow Wow in Fisher River was beautiful, and hundreds of dancers came out to celebrate. The Pow Wow is named after a much-loved woman, Ada Wilson “Grey Cloud Woman,” who passed away in April 2005. Her son, Barry Wilson, the Chair of the FRCN Pow Wow Planning Committee, shared that he knows she is present in spirit to celebrate with them every year and even passed by to bless the grounds with light rain before the Grand Entry. She is missed, but they honour her memory by gathering each year in a good way. 

Left to right: Barry Wilson, Cyndi Asham, Sheila Murdock, Claudette Choken, Jen Kirkness, Anthony Mason, Ron Sinclair & Dorothy Hudson

When we attended the Fisher River First Nation Pow Wow, we spoke with committee member Dorothy who shared that this is the first Pow Wow celebration post-Covid. There is much to celebrate this year, but some committee members have also passed and whose memory they honour each year. Most recently, the committee and the entire Fisher River Cree Nation community honoured a well-known and well-loved community member: Carl “Poggy” Cochrane. Poggy had helped plan Fisher River Cree Nation’s Treaty Day Celebrations for many years. He was the one who knew what needed to be done and how to do it. He was up at sunrise to help prep the grounds for the dancers, set up the tipi’s and sound systems and even spent hours cutting grass. “Helping with the Community Celebrations was his passion,” says Dorothy. Shortly before Poggy began his journey to the Spirit World, Dorothy spoke with him and told him about their decision to honour him by naming the Treaty Grounds after him. He was a humble man, but he agreed, and today, in Fisher River Cree Nation, you can visit Poggy’s Field of Dreams. A place where the community gathers to celebrate and have fun.

In addition to honouring those who have passed, the Fisher River Cree Nation Pow Wow Committee honoured community members who have accomplished great things:

  • Constable Phoenix Cochrane was gifted a star blanket made by her Aunty Constance Murdock. Pheonix is the 2nd female RCMP member of Fisher River Cree Nation
  • They honoured the newly crowned Fisher River Cree Nation Royalty: Tylie Bear, Miss FRCN Tiny Tot Princess; Laila Stevenson, Miss FRCN Jr. Princess; Knovah Wallbridge, Miss FRCN Teen Princess and Atticus Kirkness, FRCN Little Brave. 
  • And finally, those who recently graduated were celebrated. Congratulations on achieving success and we wish you well in whatever adventure comes next!

Dorothy shared that through this, and all future events, they honour Ada Wilson, Poggy Cochrane, and another member who passed in 2008, Olive Kirkness “Blue Turtle Woman.” Their Legacy will continue for many more years