Students in School District 27 danced and cheered as the 2025 Thomas-Dueck powwow returned to Columneetza Junior Secondary in Williams Lake on Jan. 31.
What started nine years ago as a small activity inspired by a student’s passion for powwows has grown into an annual celebration of local Indigenous culture. It’s an opportunity for Indigenous students to showcase their talents and to wear their heritage proudly, while their classmates can learn and take part.
Students from nine different schools watched as local dancers and classmates stamped their feet, jumped through the air and spun their colours.
The more experienced dancers’ enthusiasm was contagious as they flew along the floor and grinned proudly as their motions synched with the sound of the drums played by Kwatna Mountain and Northern Tribez.
Some students were encouraged to dance along as the floor was opened for junior and teen dances, intertribal dances and round dances. Ribbons of colour blurred before the observer as everything from the bells on dancers’ skirts to the feathers in one’s headdress moved to the beat of the drums.
“This powwow is for you,” said the event's MC Colin Stonechild as he encouraged students to join in the dancing.
Winter conditions delayed the start of the event, but students soon poured in. The grand entry was led by William Magnus Lulua of Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) followed by SD 27 Indigenous role models Finley Testawich and Grace Anderson with flag bearers including city councillor Michael Moses and Xatśūll Chief Rhonda Phillips.
Mayor Surinderpal Rathor, SD 27 Director of Instruction Grant Gustafson and Superintendent Cheryl Lenardon were among the leaders invited to speak before the dancing began.
“It’s a big honour to be here today...and to see everyone here gathered to do that learning and to show their respect and to enjoy this incredible experience,” Lenardon said after acknowledging the district's responsibility in making room for learning about Indigenous culture, language and history.
District staff member and WLFN councillor Dancing Water Sandy also addressed the room, and said a prayer for the late Natalie Johnson Wallace, a member of Esk'etemc First Nation.
“The family invited us to keep celebrating today and to honour her,” she said before saying a prayer and singing in honour of Wallace.
The event also hosted several community partners to help connect youth with local services. Among them was Foundry, All Nations Healing House and Denisiqi Service Society. The Tŝilhqot’in National Government also had representatives present to talk about Nidlin, the nation’s efforts to reclaim jurisdiction over family and child services.
Hattie Darney, principal of Columneetza, told the Tribune lots of work went into the powwow, with a committee of students, staff and members of the Tŝilhqot'in nation meeting bi-weekly since September. The school also hosted workshops run by Tania Jeff leading up to the powwow so students could make their own ribbon skirts.
