The 2022 Grand River Champions of Champions Pow Wow is getting ready to mark its return after a two year hiatus due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Pow Wow will take place July 23-24 and will allow visitors to check out Indigenous crafts and host a variety of different food options. This year's gathering will mark the first year the Pow Wow celebrates at its new home, The Ohsweken Speedway, after spending over 40 years at the previous location, Chiefswood Park.

Bubba Martin, a committee member for the Champions of Champions Pow Wow, stated that the change was made due to the Pow Wow and Chiefswood Park growing in popularity.

"As we've grown, we grew into a spot where we were looking at [it], and the community has been talking about, it to be able to say, is this going to be able to hold us?" Martin said about Chiefwoods Park.

"So Chiefswood Park are also growing to where they are going. So we made a decision that now is the time for us to leave: now is the time for us to get a new location because both of us are growing," he added.

The Champions of Champions Pow Wow is set to host visitors from not only Six Nations but people across North America, as dancers and singers alike will compete in what will be the feature event of the weekend. Martin also spoke on the event and how the dance competition has grown and become a popular tourist attraction for people internationally.

"This gathering is to showcase what Pow Wow style dancing is about, and it may not necessarily be part of Six Nations, but the Pow Wow is a part of Six Nations, so that there is bringing all our community members together and all the surrounding communities and visitors from abroad; I know people come internationally as well," he said. "People plan their family trips and family vacations around this time to come visit us, so bringing all these people back into our community after being off for two years is going to be great."

The Grand River Champions of Champions Pow Wow welcomes all visitors to come and get a feel for Indigenous culture. Martin advised people to be prepared when getting to the venue to stay safe from the weather elements, to pack sunscreen and a chair, take pictures, and have a good time and enjoy the food, crafts, outfits and everything that comes with being at the Pow Wow.

For more information, you can follow the Grand River Champions Of Champions Facebook page here.

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