For three days from Friday to Sunday, Sept. 16 to 18, singers, dancers, and drummers from B.C., Alberta, and the U.S. filled the 91原创 Events Centre for the first annual St蓱l虛蓹w虛 powwow cultural event.

Organized by the St蓱l虛蓹w虛 Arts and Cultural Society, which is based on Kwantlen First Nation land in Fort 91原创, the event鈥檚 name translates to 鈥渂ig river鈥� in the h蓹n虛q虛蓹min虛蓹m虛 language, a reference to the Fraser River and its role in the Indigenous communities living along its shores.

In a statement of purpose , organizers said 鈥渞ivers connect and enable sharing and new opportunities 鈥� and we wish for the st蓱l虛蓹w虛 powwow to be an event that shares, honours and creates new opportunities to celebrate rich indigenous traditions and build important and lasting connections.鈥�

One of the organizers, TsaTsomTun (Dennis Leon), cultural advisor, Kwantlen First Nations, on the st蓱l虛蓹w虛 arts and culture committee, explained the long-awaited event has been in the planning stages for three years.

鈥淏ecause of the pandemic that we鈥檙e getting through, there鈥檚 hasn鈥檛 been much powwow or gatherings,鈥� TsaTsomTun told the 91原创 Advance Times.

鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome to finally be here and see all the dancers and singers. People are coming from Alberta and all the way from Yakima [Yakama Nation in Washington]. There鈥檚 a certain kind of energy that comes with the powwow, especially for the dancers and singers.鈥�

READ ALSO: Currently running at LEC: community鈥檚 first-ever powwow

One of the participants, William James from Chilliwack, a standout in his formal garb and headdress, was appreciative.

鈥淭hank you to the people of 91原创 for hosting a wonderful weekend,鈥� he said.

READ ALSO: Inaugural pow wow celebrates Indigenous culture, connection

Kwantlen First Nation member Phyllis Atkins, program coordinator at the cultural society, explained that the powwow ceremonies are integral to many Indigenous cultures and carry great importance in the community.

describes itself as 鈥渁 registered, Indigenous and women-lead non-profit organization鈥� that is 鈥渄edicated to advocacy and empowering Indigenous artists living in Coast Salish territories in order to share their gifts.鈥�

It鈥檚 focus is 鈥渢o foster nationhood and to support the rebuilding of Indigenous communities, particularly through the development of opportunities in the arts, culture and language.鈥�

People can support the non-profit st蓱l虛蓹w虛 society online at .