Lead By Example Powwow returns for fourth year

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Lead By Example Powwow returned for its fourth year of operation, continuing its mission to end racism, and celebrate peoples coming together. 

Being the fourth year of hosting the event, Melodie Ayoungman-Hunt, CEO of the Kakato’si Kristian Ayoungman Foundation, explained the original goal was to bring it home to Siksika Nation; however, facility issues at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park caused a near last minute location change. 

“We were already working with the City of Chestermere to run their powwow and so when we got word only one month prior to our event, we did not have it in our budget to do it off the nation in Strathmore, and Chestermere already put a sponsorship in,” said Ayoungman-Hunt. “It came together very easily, and it was even more successful for us because they supported a lot of areas for us.”

She added attendance exceeded their expectations, particularly seeing as the Lead By Example Powwow was immediately following the Calgary Stampede Powwow. 

The latter of which, taking place in the Saddledome, saw in the realm of 550 dancers and eight drum groups taking over the venue. 

Singers, dancers, drummers, and participants from across North America made their way to Chestermere, July 8, to be a part of the celebrations. 

“We talked with the Town of Strathmore, and initially, we are supposed to be back there, and so we are looking at our work continuing. We have our board members … who have already spoken to other organizations,” added Ayoungman-Hunt. “Our work is continuing and growing. We also have done conferences, I have attended speaking engagements, we also do the Lead By Example Cultural Sharing Day, and that is in its fourth year also with Golden Hills School Division.”

She added the Kakato’si Kristian Ayoungman Foundation has already been meeting with several other communities who are interested in having conferences come to them for educational purposes, or to aid them in hosting local Powwow events.

The Kakato’si Kristian Ayoungman Foundation and the Lead By Example Powwow were created to honour the late Kristian Ayoungman, who was fatally shot near Strathmore in March 2019 after a dispute over cigarettes. 

“People need to see the beautiful and positive side of First Nations, not only what you hear in the news – the negatives and all of the (trauma). When people come to these powwows, they experience, they feel the vibrant energy and you feel the songs, and you enjoy watching the dancers,” said Ayoungman-Hunt. “It grasps their attention and they love it. I see people enjoying and they are like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that First Nations were so beautiful in this way and they could all come together in one place.’”