For the first time since 2019, the Lake Country Native Association hosted its annual Winter Family Gathering Pow Wow in November.
More than 250 people squeezed into the Winfield Memorial Hall event on Nov. 19, as the community missed it over the last couple of years.
On top of food and shopping vendors, the event held its grand entry at 1 p.m. to welcome everyone to the event.
“It’s been three long years since we had our gathering here and it’s good to us all intact,” said emcee Richard Jackson Jr.
He continued by speaking about the importance of last week’s Remembrance Day and how important it is to pay tribute to everyone in uniform who sacrifice themselves for others.
On top of that, he also mentioned the 250 children who were found in Kamloops.
“Lest we forget, the 250 in Kamloops, the 250 little ancestors, lest we forget,” said Jackson Jr.
Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland, former mayor James Baker, Kelowna-Lake Country MP Tracy Gray, and school trustee Amy Geistlinger were all in attendance and spoke at the event.
“My council, myself, and my family were extremely honoured to be able to work, live, and play on the unceded territory of the Okanagan Peoples,” said Ireland.
“I and my council endeavour to respect the land, the water and keeping our communities together and looking after all of us, and looking after everyone, your neighbours, your friends, and your families are the key to a better community.”
“It seems like the pow-wow gets bigger and bigger every year,” said a member of the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB).
It was the 25th annual winter family gathering pow wow event.