Saint John final stop on this year’s N.B. powwow trail

The Menahqesk Wabanaki Traditional Powwow returned to Saint John on Saturday, marking the 12th and final stop on New Brunswick’s powwow trail in 2025.

The powwow’s grand entry and opening ceremonies began at 12 p.m. inside TD Station, featuring about 200 dancers. More than 40 Indigenous craft and food vendors lined the perimeter of the arena.

“I love outdoor powwows, but it’s really cool to have an indoor powwow,” said Possesom Paul, CEO of Double Curve Media, which led the organization of Saturday’s gathering. “Especially at this time of year, because you don’t know what the weather is going to be like… Take care of the people, the youth, and our elders.”

Paul says the powwow’s venue presented opportunities to showcase Saturday’s performances in creative ways.

“We’re on top of a basketball arena so we’re able to light it differently, and we’re able to provide different sound,” he said. “It’s just a different environment and different energy that comes in here.”

The host drum at Saturday’s powwow was Eastern Eagle, with invited drums: Muskrat Singers, Wolastoq Singers, Sipu Boyz, Wabanaki Confederacy, and East Bay.

Planning for this year’s powwow in Saint John began immediately after last year’s, which marked the first traditional powwow to be held in the city. Paul said planning is already underway for the city’s powwow in 2026.

“We meet again next week to see what we can do for next year,” he said.

Powwow season in New Brunswick officially began in June in Sitansisk (St. Mary’s), followed by July powwows in Oinpegitjoig L’Noeigati (Pabineau), Welamukotuk (Oromocto), Natoaganeg (Eel Ground), Neqotkuk (Tobique), and Metepenagiag (Red Bank).

In August, powwows were hosted in Ugpi’ganjig (Eel River Bar), Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church), and Elsipogtog (Big Cove), with September powwows in Tjipogtotjg (Bouctouche), and Bilijk (Kingsclear).

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