Residents of Thunder Bay are learning that Dilico Anishinabek Family Care held its eighth annual powwow on Thursday in Fort William First Nation, which neighbours Thunder Bay.
The event helped bring people together as hundreds are displaced during Ontario's wildfire season. Zander Lapensee says powwows have changed his life — and amid a difficult wildfire season in northwestern Ontario, he hopes his dancing helps raise people’s spirits. “I'm dancing as hard as I can for them.
That's my spirit out there,” shared Lapensee, a grass dancer originally from Pukatawagan First Nation (also known as Mathias Colomb Cree Nation)in northern Manitoba who moved to northwestern Ontario four years ago. About 180 wildfires continue to burn across the region, displacing more than 2,800 people from over a dozen communities, including several First Nations. The organization provided a shuttle service between the event and hotels where wildfire evacuees are staying. Aungelle Wabigwanis cultural services manager with Dilico and a member of Namaygoosisagagun First Nation (also known as Collins First Nation), which wasdestroyed by a wildfire earlier this month.The community’s chief, Helen Paavola, is her aunt.
Though some know it as a mating dance, he knows it as a warrior’s dance.
“We wanted to make sure that the evacuees had a fun event to come attend, look forward to,” Wabigwan noted. “It's really overwhelming; my heart is just overflowing with joy to see people come together as citizens.” Wildfire evacuees from First Nations in northern Ontario face stressors beyond being far from home First Nation chiefs call for public inquiry into Ontario government's wildfire response The theme of Dilico’s annual powwow has been “coming together” each year, leading up to this one, “so I think that continues to be fitting this year during this time.” “I hope they take away that feeling after today,” Wabigwan advised of wildfire evacuees in attendance. Cedar Meeseetawageesic, a 16-year-old jingle dress dancer from Naotkamegwanning First Nation (also known as Whitefish Bay), was too shy to participate in powwows as a child, “but now I got the courage to dance." Meeseetawageesic shared her thoughts are with those who have lost their homes to wildfires, and she hopes Thursday’s event gave them “something to feel good about.” The 19-year-old from Nibinamik First Nation (also known as the local residents of Summer Beaver) is a chicken dancer — a style that originates from the Prairies. Though some know it as a mating dance, he knows it as a warrior’s dance. “It's pretty hot outside, but I'm proud to represent my the public and my family,” Beaver noted. As those affected by wildfires come to terms with their losses, he shared, it’s substantial to remember the resilience of First Nations. “When hardships like that come in our communities, a lot of the times people tend to come together, and when you're together as one, it's a lot more powerful than just being all over.” At Dilico,Wabigwan remarked there are various health and wellness services available to support those affected by wildfires. Mobile veterinary clinic set up in Thunder Bay, Ont., for animals affected by wildfires As well, theHope for Wellness Helplineprovides immediate, toll-free telephone and online chat-based emotional support and crisis intervention to all Indigenous people in Canada. It’s available 24/7 in English and French, and upon request in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut. Lapensee’s words of encouragement? “Dance deadly,” he shared before rejoining Thursday’s powwow circle. Sarah Law is a CBC News reporter based in Thunder Bay, Ont., and has also worked for newspapers and online publications elsewhere in the province. Have a story tip? You can reach her at sarah.law@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 27, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
