In the rising heat of mid-summer, a steady drumbeat will once again echo across Peel Region’s Credit River valley. For Kevin Eshkawkogan, elder and cultural advisor, this sound represents far more than entertainment.
“These gatherings aren’t just performances—they’re living expressions of who we are as Indigenous peoples,” Eshkawkogan told me during a walk through the powwow grounds being prepared at the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
The 35th Annual Three Fires Homecoming Powwow and Traditional Gathering, scheduled for August 24-25, 2024, promises to be one of southern Ontario’s most significant Indigenous cultural events this summer. Organizers expect more than 5,000 visitors over the weekend, including participants from First Nations communities across Canada and the northern United States.
Dancing in elaborate regalia adorned with intricate beadwork, feathers, and jingles, performers will showcase styles ranging from traditional to fancy dance, each with deep cultural significance. These dances aren’t relics of the past—they’re evolving traditions connecting generations.
“My grandfather taught me these steps when I was just tall enough to reach his knees,” says Jessica Manitowabi, a dancer from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory who has participated in the Peel Region powwow for over a decade. “Now I’m teaching my own children. That’s how our knowledge survives.”
Behind the vibrant celebrations lies a deeper purpose. According to data from the Region of Peel’s 2021 demographic report, approximately 26,000 Indigenous people call the region home, yet many residents have limited understanding of First Nations cultures and histories.
The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, traditional stewards of these lands, view the powwow as both celebration and education. Chief Stacey Laforme emphasizes this dual purpose.
“Every drum beat, every dance step is a teaching moment,” Chief Laforme explained during a community council meeting last month. “When we welcome visitors to our powwow, we’re inviting them to understand who we are—not who history books said we were.”
The gathering comes at a pivotal moment for Indigenous-municipal relations in Peel Region. Last year, Mississauga City Council approved its first Indigenous Relations Action Plan, following consultations with local First Nations representatives and urban Indigenous community members. The plan allocates $375,000 toward reconciliation initiatives, including support for cultural events like this powwow.
For Brampton resident Samantha Williams, who attended last year’s gathering with her family, the experience was transformative. “My kids learned more about Indigenous cultures in one afternoon than they had in two years of school,” she told me. “They still talk about the eagle staff procession and what it represents.”
Beyond cultural performances, the powwow will feature more than 60 Indigenous artisans and food vendors. Visitors can purchase authentic crafts—from hand-drummed leather goods to contemporary Indigenous artwork—while sampling traditional foods like Three Sisters soup, bannock, and wild rice dishes.
Lisa Odjig, a world champion hoop dancer scheduled to perform, sees these economic opportunities as crucial. “When people purchase directly from Indigenous artists and knowledge keepers, they’re supporting living traditions, not just buying souvenirs,” she explained during our phone conversation.
The Ontario Arts Council reports that Indigenous cultural events generate approximately $5.2 million annually for local economies across the province. However, Kelly Fran Davis, one of the powwow’s organizers, emphasizes that measuring success purely in economic terms misses the point.
“We’re creating space for Indigenous peoples to celebrate who we are, on our own terms,” Davis said. “That’s something you can’t put a dollar value on.”
The event also occurs against the backdrop of increasing awareness around residential school histories. Several healing ceremonies will be incorporated into the gathering, acknowledging this painful legacy while celebrating cultural resurgence.
Elder Carolyn King, who has attended every Peel Region powwow since its inception, sees these events as essential to community healing. “For decades, our ceremonies were illegal under Canadian law,” she reminded me, referencing the Indian Act restrictions that weren’t fully lifted until the 1950s. “Now we dance in the open, and that itself is healing.”
For non-Indigenous visitors, the powwow offers clear protocols. Photography is permitted during general dancing but prohibited during specific ceremonies. Organizers encourage questions but ask that sacred items like eagle feathers not be touched without permission.
“Respectful curiosity is welcome,” explains cultural coordinator James Carpenter. “This isn’t a museum exhibit—it’s a living gathering where people can learn by participating appropriately.”
The powwow grounds, located at 2789 Mississauga Road, will open to the public at 10:30 a.m. both days, with grand entry processions scheduled for noon. Admission is $10 for adults, with children under 12 and seniors over 65 admitted free. Parking is available at designated lots with shuttle service to the grounds.
As I finished my conversation with Eshkawkogan, he paused to watch volunteers preparing the central dance area. “Every powwow is both ancient and new,” he reflected. “We’re dancing in the footsteps of our ancestors while creating new paths for those who’ll come after us.”
In a region rapidly transformed by development, this celebration offers a profound reminder of the enduring Indigenous presence that predates and continues to shape Peel’s identity—one drumbeat at a time.
