Beausoleil First Nation is proud to present the Annual “Island in the Sun” Powwow on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6 at the Douglas Lake Powwow Grounds on Christian Island.

This two-day celebration will consist of dancing, presentations, art, craft and educational displays and food with both cultural and Western flavours.

The works of artist William Monague and craftperson Velma Smith will also be featured.

The 2007 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award Nominees the Taabik Singers will be this year’s host drum. The guest drum, the Smooth Town Singers, contain a sound that will take listeners on a journey through story and dance.

The powwow begins with the grand entry. Dancers and dignitaries are asked to join in a parade to enter the arena as an introduction to the festivities.

The Grand Entry consists of eagle staffs, Canadian and American flags, tribal flags, and flags to honor veterans and emergency service people. The flags wave proudly to show where participants are from, and the pride and honour they feel for the places they represent.

Following the veterans are other important guests including the chief, other leaders, the community’s prince and princess, honoured elders, male dancers, female dancers and the children from teens to tiny tots.

The audience will be enthused by the dance display as presented. They will witness everything from the Grass Dance that cleanses the dance arena, the sacred jingle dress dance, be entertained by dances such as the Chicken Dance that are held by the male dancers. They can also participate in inter-tribal dances such as the Friendship Dance and the Round Dance.

Beausoleil First Nation also welcomes the skilled manners of head dancers Adrian Harjoe and Deborah Marsden whose expertise and tirelessness will lead and join in on various dance presentations. Youth Dancers from Christian Island are also expected to share in the extravaganza.

There will be three grand entries – 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and noon on Sunday. People from all communities are invited to attend; in fact, your presence will be an honour.