For our pow wow planning committee, each of the past 10 years has presented new steps to plan for and overcome as our mini pow wow gathered momentum and grew each and every year. As we were planning the 2020 SD8 Youth Pow Wow we chose the theme 10 Years of Empowerment in Action.
The recent past has seen a surge of focus on Reconciliation and resiliency and we have been told that this celebration has become an incredible opportunity for sharing information and educating children, youth and adults alike.
Recently, we found ourselves reminiscing about the highlights of each of the past 10 years that we have been able to come together in this spirit of togetherness and celebration. Thank you to each of you who has become part of our pow wow family over these years, joining us to teach, learn, share and celebrate culture and traditions together.
A focus on the seven sacred teachings of honesty, wisdom, love, respect, humility, truth, and courage holds renewed importance now, during these unprecedented times of social distancing and limitations on gatherings amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. These basic virtues are intrinsic to a full and healthy life and these thoughts hold special and renewed importance at this time.
We honor and respect the safety of each and every one of you and with that foremost in our minds, we regretfully inform you that we will be cancelling School District 8 Youth Pow Wow this school year. As we see the world continuously facing the ongoing challenges of COVID19 we hope that you are able to find the courage, strength and support that you require.
We sincerely thank all of you who have joined us in the past and we look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Please protect and take care of yourselves and others around you.
Josie Fullarton, Laurel Ewashen, Janet Zarchukoff and the School District 8 Aboriginal Education team