Message from Councillor D LaBillois Bjorndal on 2025 Powwow

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The 2025 Powwow was held August 15 to 17 and was a great success. Councillor D LaBillois Bjorndal reflects and gives thanks for the weekend.

As I reflect on this past weekend, I can’t help but shoutout my backbone, our committee of hard working volunteers. My Mom – Cher, Sue, Carol, Travis, Montana, Linda, Shelley, Charles, Tyana, Mike, May and Karen. Eel River Bar Powwow is on the map and it’s becoming more and more successful year after year.
Thank you to the wonderful Head Staff & Drums, Tatanka Kuwa was a wicked Host Drum choice thank you brother Brock for your songs and medicine, Xavier Littlehead & Layla Sohappy the best choice for Head Dancers thank you two and your family for coming to our celebration. Michael R Denny, Trevor Gould and Christian Barnaby for running the show smooth, Jesse Ray Isaac for providing the sound, Co Host Drum Sacred Flight for rendering us their jamming tunes as always thank you brother Keigan and crew, Invited Drums Wabanaki Confederacy, East Boyz, and Gun Smoke held it down pretty wicked too. Thank you to Beckie LaBillois for her beautiful opening prayer and Chief Chris for his wonderful welcoming.
The community members hosted some beautiful specials this past weekend, the ERB youth special was beautiful shoutout to Jasmine, Carie and Tiffanie (Education) for participating and partnering with me on this initiative, it felt good to give back to our youth and the circle.
Thank you to Tanya Metallic (Simonson) for her beautiful special, giving back to the circle it’s truly appreciated what you do for celebration.
Thank you to Judith LaBillois for her heartfelt special for her late Daughter Bobbi Jo, it was definitely a tear jerker and a beautiful tribute to her.
Without the help of local entrepreneurs and businesses sponsoring our celebration it would not happen, sponsors ranging from 250 all the way up to 15,000 every dollar counts into making this a successful event.
Honourable mention to Gilbert Cayouette for shuttling around our Host Drum and to the Health Centre team for lending him to the committee and all the other initiatives throughout the weekend. Shoutout to the Child & Family team for the help of securing their flights here. Thank you to the Elders Committee for hosting the breakfast.
With all this being said it takes many key players to make the Powwow happen year after year and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and if I missed anyone I’m deeply and truly sorry for that. I feel so much gratitude and pride being the Coordinator for our celebration and I can’t wait to expand. With that being said we welcome you August 15-16, 2026, Head Staff is already shaping up and stay tuned for announcements 🔥❤️ I love you ERB, till next time.