Powerful powwow returns to South Surrey school March 6-8
Published 11:00 am Friday, February 27, 2026
A powerful tradition that is nearly 30 years old is returning to a South Surrey secondary school.
Earl Marriott Secondary hosts its annual powwow March 6-8 with Semiahmoo First Nation, in a popular event that showcases Indigenous culture and community.
Indigenous representatives from across the Lower Mainland and B.C. participate in the three-day affair, which features dancers, drummers and performers of all ages, as well as a vendor market.
The annual powwow started at the school after then-principal Margaux Molson and EMS teacher Andrew Holland built a fledgling First Nations Program to support First Nations students in 1996 — one of the first in the Surrey school district, and the vision of late SFN Grand Chief Bernard Charles.
Program students attended two field trips to the Gathering of the Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico with Holland and teacher chaperones, where they experienced the power and strength of powwow as a collective group.
Following the trip, Earl Marriott staff and students embarked on their own plans to bring the energy and power they experienced to our community by hosting pow wows at Earl Marriott starting in 1997, the powwow website noted.
The annual event became a powerful and popular event for the school and the surrounding community, and today, the Earl Marriott Semiahmoo First Nation Community Powwow continues at EMS under the leadership of EMS teacher sponsor Mark Figueira and Keely Speechley, principal Graham Magnusson, and with the help of countless staff and student volunteers from the school, the Semiahmoo First Nation, and the South Surrey/White Rock community.
“It is an annual event that is not to be missed,” Figueira said.
Cadence Ferrero MacCumber, an Indigenous Grade 11 EMS student in the leadership program, agreed.
MacCumber, who has been attending the powwow ever since she was a baby, will be performing in this year’s event, in the fancy shawl dance, with regalia she is making herself, including a ribbon skirt and rabbit fur for her hair.
“I’m one of the dancers who performs with the shawls, and my mom is a jingle dancer — she started dancing when she was in high school,” MacCumber said. “I’m excited!”
MacCumber has a busy spring break planned, as she will be attending two conferences, one called Gathering Our Voices and the other, HIP Y2Y (Honouring Indigenous Peoples Youth to Youth).
Her favourite part about powwow is the positive, healing atmosphere, she noted, as well as the performances.
She is excited to help share Indigenous culture and hopes the entire community comes to experience it for themselves.
“I’m really looking forward to it.”
On Friday, March 6, doors open to the general public at 6 p.m., with the Grand Entry scheduled for 7 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday (March 7-8), doors open to the public at 12 noon, with Grand Entries set for 1 p.m. both days, as well as a 7 p.m. Grand Entry on Saturday.
Admission is by donation.
Visit emssfnpowwow.ca for details.