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Secwépemc gathering this weekend

The community of Esket will host a Secwépemc gathering this weekend.

The community of Esket will host a Secwépemc gathering this weekend.

Starting tomorrow, July 22, the Esketemc Secwépemc Gathering will run until Sunday, July 24.

Included in the three-day event will be the lighting of the Secwépemc Gathering Sacred Fire, as well as stick games, a powwow, ball hockey, fashion show, baseball, volleyball, paintball, triathlon, language fair, bingo, arts and crafts, dances and more.

Henry Johnson, Secwépemc Gathering co-orinator, invites everyone to attend the free event that takes place at Esket/Alkali Lake — 31 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake on Dog Creek Road.

“Everyone is welcome,” Johnson says. “Any and all colours and races, creed, religions.

On Sunday, the Esketemc community will pass the staff over to the next host community, which will be a band south since north and south bands alternate as host each year.

The schedule of events is as follows:

Friday:

• 6 to 10 a.m.: sweat at the sweat lodge

• 7 to 9 a.m.: breakfast

• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. : sports

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: lunch

• 11 a.m. Lawrence Society Van.

• noon to 5 p.m.: bouncy toy

• 1 to 11 p.m.: powwow, beginning with grand entry

• 3 p.m.: opening welcome ceremonies, lighting of the sacred fire

• 4 p.m.: cultural competition

• 6 to 8 p.m.: dinner

• 7 to 10 p.m.: sweat at the sweat lodge

• 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.: stick game

• 7 to 11 p.m.: paint ball

• 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.: youth dance

Saturday:

• 6 to 10 a.m.: sweat at the sweat lodge

• 7 to 10 a.m.: breakfast

• 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. : sports

• 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. : powwow warmups

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: powwow

• 1 p.m.: grand entry

• 1 to 4 p.m. bingo-hall

• 2 to 5 p.m.: powwow

• 4 p.m.: cultural competition

• 6 p.m.: dinner

• 7 p.m.: grand entry

• 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.: stick game

• 7 to 10 p.m.: fashion show

• 7 to 11 p.m.: paintball

• 8 to 11 p.m.: powwow

• 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.: dance

Sunday:

• 6 a.m.: sweat

• 7 to 10 a.m.: breakfast

• noon to 2 p.m.: lunch

• 3 p.m.: powwow, closing crowning at the arbor, cultural competition, presentation, stick game award presentations, passing of the Secwépemc staff to the next Secwépemc representative, and closing by Chief Fred Robbins and council.