Welcomed with Open Arms: Experiencing the Treaty Four Powwow

A beautiful late summer day in the Qu’Appelle Valley set the stage for a powerful and heartwarming experience as 25 SaskEnergy employees, families and friends attended the Treaty Four Powwow in Fort Qu-Appelle on Saturday, September 20.

For many, it was their first time attending a powwow and what they found was a space filled with warmth, pride, and community.

“What stood out the most to me was how open and welcoming the space felt, not just in a physical sense, but emotionally and spiritually,” says Bonnie Favreau, one of the employees that attended. “Being there helped me realize that it absolutely is a space where I am welcomed.”

Bonnie was especially moved by the grand entry, where dancers of all ages, dressed in vibrant regalia, entered to the beat of drums and songs.

“Attending with my colleagues made the experience even more meaningful,” she adds. “Many of us brought along family members, which added to the sense of community.”

The idea to attend the powwow came from employees expressing interest in participating in Indigenous cultural events. Joseph Daniels, SaskEnergy’s Director of Indigenous Engagement, saw an opportunity to create something special.

“We ended up getting 25 people out this year, and I thought that was just a wonderful Saturday spent with my friends from work,” he says.

“We brought out lawn chairs, sat as a group, and experienced song, dance, food, and commentary. It was just a beautiful day.”

The group wore matching t-shirts in the colours of the medicine wheel, and many of the women wore ribbon skirts.

“That was a special touch,” says Deanna Jacobs, who attended with her daughter. “Also having Joe there to explain certain powwow protocols made the experience even more meaningful.”

Deanna adds that her daughter was deeply impacted by the experience.

“She turned to me on the drive home and said she couldn’t even put into words how much she loved it and how thankful she was that I took her,” Deanna says. “That alone made the entire day so special.”

The powwow visit aligns with SaskEnergy’s broader commitment to truth and reconciliation and something Joseph is hoping will continue to grow at the company.

“We had 25 this year, and next year maybe we can get a busload,” he says. “We’d love to expand our reach and have champions in Saskatoon, North Battleford, and other areas around the province to help more employees access these opportunities.”