Dry Canyon Collectibles has raised $4620 in funding to bring back the successful Canada Day Pow Wow held behind the Badlands Community Facility (BCF).
On Saturday, April 21, the shop held a silent auction where they had tables lining the space with donated items that were bid on throughout the weekend. This money has brought them much closer to their total goal of $20,000. Municipal, provincial and federal grants have already begun to play a part in the event.
“It went really good,” said Dry Canyon Collectibles store owner Mike Fabrik. “It was a fantastic response from the businesses from around town for the stuff they had given us for donations and we had a pretty good crowd. We got close to what we were looking for.”
The store owners invited three artists of different artistic style and background to the event. Joe Giroux, Lara Surring, and Terry Nash demonstrated their skills throughout the two day event.
Giroux has made soapstone antlers for roughly 20 years and holds numerous workshops to share his passion. A typical piece can take up to two days of work and has a price tag of upwards of $400.
Surring practices scratch art and Terry Nash of N*A*S*H Photography came in as well to share talents with visitors.
“As part of the silent auction we wanted to showcase some of the artists that we have and let them show people how they do their mediums,” explained Fabrik.
The Drumheller Valley was used by indigenous people as a neutral meeting place between tribes. Fabrik wants to educate people and bring back that spirit after the immense amount of positive comments he received from last year’s event.
“Last year’s was such a success that a lot of people really enjoyed it and it is a neat cultural event to bring down here to the Valley. It lets people see a different way of life and different aspects,” said Fabrik. “In the western world we have all the rodeos that go around but in the Indigenous circles they have Pow Wows and they will travel to the same places as what cowboys will travel.”
