Celebrate the Third Annual kiʔláwnaʔ stamiyaʔ Two‑Spirit powwow in downtown Kelowna, a colourful, community‑led event where Indigenous Two‑Spirit people, allies and families come together to reclaim traditions, resist exclusion, and enjoy drumming, dancing, vendors and connection this Saturday from 12–5pm.

Essential Takeaways

  • What: Third annual kiʔláwnaʔ stamiyaʔ Two‑Spirit powwow, a day of dance, drumming and vendors in downtown Kelowna.
  • Who: Led by Two‑Spirit people, Sylix Indigiqueer Council, Kelowna Pride Society and Indigenous supporters.
  • When & where: Saturday, 12–5pm at 1600 Abbott Street; grand entry begins at noon.
  • Why it matters: Provides a safe, culturally grounded space to resist racism, homophobia and transphobia that Two‑Spirit people still face.
  • Atmosphere: Traditional, warm and celebratory , expect vibrant regalia, steady drumbeats and the smell of bannock from food vendors.

A powerful welcome: grand entry sets the tone

The powwow opens with a grand entry at midday, a slow, ceremonial walk into the circle that always feels both formal and intimate, with regalia rustling and drums pulsing. Events like this centre ceremony as a way to mark presence and belonging, and the grand entry is a visible reminder that Two‑Spirit people are here and welcomed. According to event listings, the circle will be the focal point for dancers, drummers and speakers throughout the afternoon, so arrive early if you want a close view or a respectful moment to settle in.

Why Two‑Spirit gatherings still matter in 2026

Kelowna Pride Society staff and local organisers say Two‑Spirit people continue to face a tangle of discrimination , racism within queer spaces, and homophobia or transphobia within Indigenous and non‑Indigenous communities. Those layered harms aren’t just personal; they’re structural, rooted in colonial policies that erased Indigenous gender systems. This powwow is explicitly framed as a space to reclaim traditions that colonisation tried to suppress, and to rebuild community in ways that centre Indigenous knowledge about gender, kinship and responsibility.

What to expect: music, food, vendors and ceremony

If you go, expect a full‑spectrum community day: live drumming, ribbon and fancy shawl dancers, stalls selling crafts and food, and opportunities to learn. Event organisers have shared vendor and volunteer information online, so local artisans and small groups are well represented. The scene is often colourful and tactile , beaded jewellery, warm bannock and the steady, grounding beat of drums , and it’s set up to be accessible for curious allies as well as community members.

How to attend respectfully and supportfully

Organisers welcome everyone who attends respectfully. That means listening during speeches, asking before photographing people in regalia, and following any guidance from elders or emcees about ceremony and protocol. If you want to do more than attend, check volunteer and vendor pages ahead of time , community groups often need hands for setup or fundraising. Small acts, like buying from Indigenous vendors or amplifying Two‑Spirit voices after the event, make a meaningful difference.

Looking forward: community, reclamation and visibility

Events like kiʔláwnaʔ stamiyaʔ are more than a one‑day celebration; they’re part of a longer reclaiming of identity and history. For many attendees, the powwow offers both healing and visibility, and it helps push back against narratives that erase Indigenous gender diversity. Expect this gathering to continue evolving as a lively, necessary part of Kelowna’s cultural calendar.

It's a small, joyful step toward making every corner of community life more inclusive.

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