Shoppers and neighbours turned out as Kelowna Pride Society and Syilx IndigiQueer Council hosted the third annual kiʔláwnaʔ stamiyaʔ Two-Spirit powwow in City Park, bringing dancing, drumming and family stories together despite rain and wildfire stress , and reminding everyone why these spaces matter.

Essential takeaways

  • Community turnout: Dozens attended the third annual Two-Spirit powwow in Kelowna’s City Park, creating a warm, visible crowd even in cool, rainy weather.
  • Head dancer spotlight: Grass dancer Alexis Tonasket-Hoyt, who is non-binary, led the grand entry in self-designed regalia that blended masculine and feminine elements.
  • Organisers: The event was run by the Kelowna Pride Society with the Syilx IndigiQueer Council and moved to late August to avoid scheduling conflicts.
  • Family and healing: Several elders who survived residential school attended, underlining the powwow’s role in cultural celebration and intergenerational healing.
  • Inclusive invitation: Organisers stressed the powwow as a safe, respectful space for Two-Spirit people and the broader community to witness and belong.

A bright grand entry despite the rain

The powwow opened with a vivid grand entry and the immediate lift that drumming brings , rain on jackets, but warmth in the circle. Alexis Tonasket-Hoyt, the head grass dancer, brought a striking presence with bells, purple sheep fur and eagle feathers that once belonged to their grandfather. According to local reports, the rain eased almost as if on cue after the opening dances, and the mood stayed buoyant throughout the afternoon.

This was never meant to be a spectacle for outsiders only; it’s a gathering for kin and community. Organisers moved the event from Pride Week to late August to avoid clashes with other powwows, a small logistical tweak that meant the day now sits in the middle of wildfire season , and still drew a strong turnout. If you’re planning to attend next year, bring waterproof layers and patience: outdoor ceremonies are weather-adaptive and worth sticking around for.

Two-Spirit identity in practice: regalia, story and belonging

Tonasket-Hoyt’s regalia illustrated why Two-Spirit identity is as much lived as named. They chose fabrics and trims to reflect gender fluidity, and the outfit incorporated family heirlooms , a tactile reminder that identity can be handed down as surely as a feather or a story. They also pointed out that “Two-Spirit” is an umbrella term that was adopted in the 1990s specifically for people with Indigenous ancestry.

That lineage matters here. Tonasket-Hoyt referenced grandparents’ memories of dancing grass with their brothers, making the choice to dance in that style feel like continuation rather than contradiction. For families watching, that continuity is what the powwow offers: a place where children and elders see themselves reflected in the circle.

Organisers, logistics and why timing mattered

Kelowna Pride Society president Percy Lezard, who is trans, explained why the date change happened and how the current timing came with challenges. The late-August slot collided with wildfire season in an emotional year when hundreds of Okanagan homes were lost, yet organisers pressed on and created space for celebration and solace. They noted that both rain and relief came during the powwow , an image that felt fitting for a community intent on balance.

If you’re ever helping to plan such events, a couple of practical tips emerge: check regional powwow calendars to avoid conflicts, and factor in emergency seasons like wildfire alerts. Volunteer sign-ups and sponsorships are often run through platforms such as Eventeny, which many community organisers use for logistics and fundraising.

What it means to decolonise the circle

Lezard framed the powwow as a way of "decolonising both powwow and our identity more deeply" , language that signals the event’s dual purpose. It’s a cultural celebration, yes, but also an assertion that Indigenous gender and sexual identities are ancient and ongoing. That matters when families who endured residential schools are present and can celebrate the next generations openly.

For visitors, the takeaway is simple: attend respectfully. Everyone was welcome to watch, eat, buy from vendors and take part in community talks, but organisers emphasised cultural protocols and the importance of letting those who belong to the circle lead the storytelling.

Food, vendors and the feel of the day

Around 20 vendors ringed the park, offering food and handmade goods that kept people moving between the drum circle and stalls. The afternoon stretched from noon to 5pm with dancing, drumming and conversations bubbling between performances. Even in damp weather, the smell of warm food and the steady beat of the drum made the event feel lived-in and familial rather than formal.

If you go next time, bring cash for smaller vendors and a reusable bag for purchases; locally made regalia pieces and crafts often sell out. And be ready to spend a bit of time listening , the powwow is as much about hearing elders and family voices as seeing ornate regalia.

It's a small change that can make every gathering more welcoming and meaningful.

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