Sober powwow returns 

Last New Year’s Eve, as the clock struck midnight, community members young and old joined hands and cheered as part of Kahnawake’s first-ever sobriety powwow.

This year, organizer Don Barnaby will be bringing that magic back, as he prepares for an even bigger and better celebration to ring in 2025.

“I’m really trying to promote healing in the community, that’s what this is all about,” Barnaby said.

The event will take place at Kahnawake Survival School from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., and giveaways will take place every 15 minutes, with prizes ranging from gift cards for local businesses to handmade gifts.

The evening will also include an honour song, paying tribute to those lost because of addictions.

“Having families go out and do something together culturally is a beautiful way to celebrate New Year’s. And by seeing the joy in the community, by seeing all these kids running around, hopefully the parents who still might have issues might realize you don’t need to have alcohol to have fun,” he said.

“Children won’t always follow our advice, but they will follow our actions, so it’s up to us to be good role models.”

Arena director for the night will be Rahentes Bush, and Lance Delisle will take on the role of MC. Kaiewate Jacobs will be head judge, with first, second, and third place dancers taking home $300, $200, and $100 respectively.

Black Bear Drums will be coming from Manawan to be the night’s host drum, and the Wesheshkun Singers from Waswanipi will take on the role of guest drum.

Having a vibrant programming of guests and prizes was made possible thanks to funding from Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS), which is also sponsoring catering by Berryliscious.

“It fits with everything that we’re trying to promote in terms of healthy lifestyles and cultural revitalization and safe places for families, it checks all the boxes,” said Rebecca D’Amico, clinical lead of secondary prevention at KSCS. “It’s a really, really perfect event for us to support.”

D’Amico explained that KSCS takes a harm reduction approach and wants to make sure there’s options for people who do choose to be sober.

“We want to create spaces where if you have decided to be sober, or if you’re in recovery, you can go where others are living the same lifestyle and having the same experience,” she said. “I’m seeing a bigger increase in people feeling more comfortable and proud to talk about their recovery and sobriety.”

Barnaby has been sober for 26 years and said that events like this are what saved him.

“The kind of medicine I was searching for my whole life didn’t come in a bottle, it didn’t come in a pill, it didn’t come in weed,” he said. “It’s the medicine that’s in that circle.”

Community member Margaret Konwawennontion Kelly was a vendor at the event last year and will be back again to sell her ribbon skirts and earrings.

“I don’t drink, and I don’t do drugs, and without this I’d be sitting at home, so it provides me an opportunity to go out and do something interesting and to see people,” she said. “It’s just a really good feeling when the drums are going and the feet are tapping.”

Admission to the event is free, and registration for dancers in four categories (seniors, adult, teen, and tiny tots) can be completed on site. Grand entry will take place at 7 p.m.

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