Opaskwayak Sundance was held from July 6 to 9 at Alvin and Marie Merasty’s property. This was the fourth Opaskwayak Sundance held and nine dancers graduated this year. Although the Opaskwayak Sundance is in its early years, Alvin Merasty have been involved in Sundances in other communities since 1985.
“This has been the fourth Sundance in Opaskwayak Cree Nation,” said Alvin Merasty. “This really got started because there’s been a resurgence of pan-Indianism. Joe Ross was instrumental in bringing Indigenous culture to a Christianized community. He was part of The Pas Friendship Center in the early 1970s, and he brought some Indigenous drummers and powwow dancers to teach it in the community. I really accredit him with how this cultural movement started again in the community.
“It strikes a chord in people, especially when they hear the Indigenous drumming and singing.