Dancing, drumming, and cultural demonstrations helped ring in the return of Pow Wow Between the Lakes to the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) on Friday evening, July 18.
The event, hosted by the Four Seasons Cultural Society, is bringing together the eight bands of the Okanagan Nation Alliance all weekend long in celebration of syilx culture.
"I think it's just so fantastic that the Four Seasons is once again reviving the powwow, and it's such a fitting name, Between the Lakes," said Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel, during the event's first Grand Entry on Friday evening. "It's so amazing to see all the dancers, and especially the children, that will be carrying on these traditions for years to come."
This weekend's gathering marks 10 years since the powwow was revived. Then, in 2023, for the first time since settlers came to the Okanagan, the event was held in the City of Penticton.
Kristine Jack, executive director of the Four Seasons Cultural Society, said more than 200 dancers, including dozens of kids, are taking part in this year's powwow.
"I'm excited because I go back to when we held our first powwow, and we had 46 dancers," Jack said. "We want everybody in Penticton to come, because they're missing out if they're not here."
Friday evening's Grand Entry featured seven drum circles and the dancers from across B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. Bands from around the U.S. were also in attendance.
A full slate of competitive drumming on Saturday afternoon also took place at the SOEC.
"The drums and the singing just takes my breath away, and it warms my heart that it's back," Gabriel said.
This weekend's event 鈥� showcasing the traditions and connections of Indigenous communities from the region and beyond 鈥� also serves as a space for reconciliation.
"It's another step in cementing good relations with neighbouring communities and we look forward to a continued improvement in our relations and collaboration in how we jointly look after the land and look after the waters and, by virtue of that, looking after ourselves," said Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield.
"It just feels great because it's such a sharing of culture, and that is really what community building is all about."
The Pow Wow Between the Lakes this year also found support from the District of Summerland.
"We're one of the sponsors, and we were the last time as well, said Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes. "It's important that we build good relations with our neighbours, and this is an important event for them, which means it should be an important event for us, and we're just happy to support it."
At 11 a.m. on Sunday, the event is set to honour the late Four Seasons Cultural Society Elder, Grace Greyeyes, who died in 2023 after a two-year battle with cancer. The Pow Wow Between the Lakes did not proceed in 2024 out of respect for her passing.
"We just felt that we needed to do that as a family and a community," Jack said about honouring Greyeyes. "She was a director on our Four Seasons Cultural Society, and we thought we owed it to her to do it with those people who saw her last."
The event wraps up with its final competition, starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Food, arts, and craft vendors can also be found on site.
Tickets can be purchased at the SOEC box office, or online at
"I really want the powwow to to be a place where people can come and get educated with our First Nations people," Jack said. "So they can understand who we are and our ways of life and how proud we are of who we are."
