The Anishinawbe Pow-Wow Page

Taabik Singers

The TAABIK Singers have been together as a group now for approximately 3 years. It has been only late in 2005 and through the early part of 2006 that the group has been travelling under the new name - TAABIK. The origin of the new name does have some history. The lead singer, Laval Williams, sang with a group years ago that used the name, Maatabeh. Although the spelling and pronunciation are a little different the meaning is the same.

TAABIK - rocky point, rocky shore, or rocky area.

The name was agreed upon by the group and the name also had very significant meaning for all the members since all are from the Georgian Bay area where rocky shores are in abundance.

The TAABIK singers are a group of singers that have been together for a few years singing with Whitefrost Sobriety. Whitefrost's lead singer decided to go his own and took the Whitefrost name with him. The remaining singers stayed together and kept the core of the group together. With a few new faces and many old ones, the sound is still amazing and loud. With new songs and a new sound, the group is better than ever.

Our Singers:

  • Laval Williams
    Lead Singer and Drum Carrier

  • Dan Monague

  • Anthony Sylvester

  • Collin Copegog

  • Jesse Sylvester

  • Wayne Monague

  • Zack Chapman

  • Bob Goulais

  • Andrew Carruthers

  • Barry Assance

  • Hank Monague

  • Chris Pelletier

  • Doug Monague

  • Adam Copegog

  • Mel King

  • Erick Sylvester

  • Carrie Monague

  • Krista Monague

  • Cindy Sutton

  • Sherry Williams

  • Lorrie Laduc

Visit: www.taabik.com 

Contact the Taabik Singers at:
Laval Williams or Dan Monague
(705) 719-6929 or (705) 238-8953 
E-mail: info@taabik.com

What is a Pow-Wow?

With files from www.powwows.com 

Pow-Wow time is the Native American people's way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and make new ones.

This is a time to renew thought of the old ways and to preserve a rich heritage. 

There are several different stories of how the Pow-Wow was started. Some believe that the war dance societies of the Ponca and other Southern Plains tribes were the origin of the Pow-Wow. Another belief is that when the Native Americans were forced onto reservations the government also forced them to have dances for the public to come and see. Before each dance they were lead through the town in a parade, which is the beginning of the Grand Entry. 

Pow-Wow singers are very important figures in the Native American culture. Without them there would be no dancing. The songs are of many varieties, from religious to war to social.

As various tribes gathered together, they would share their songs, often changing the songs so singers of different tribes could join. With these changes came the use of "vocables" to replace the words of the old songs. Thus, some songs today are sung in vocables with no words, these are called "inter-tribals".

Yet they still hold special meaning to those who know the song. Many songs are still sung in native tongue either newly composed or revivals of old songs. These songs are reminders to the Indian people of their old ways and rich heritage.

Dancers have always been a very important part of the life of the American Indian. Most dancers seen at Pow-Wows today are social dances which might have had different meanings in earlier days. Although dance styles and content have changed, their meaning and importance has not. The outfits worn by the dancers, like the styles of clothing today evolve over time, it is not a stagnant culture, but a vibrant and changing way of life. 

Pow-Wow are organized by committees that work months before the event. At the Pow-Wow, the Master of Ceremonies (or MC) runs the events. The MC works with the Arena Director to keep the Pow-Wow organized and running smoothly. These two individuals along with the committee work hard to bring the people together to dance and fellowship together in the circle. 

The Pow-Wow begins by the Grand Entry. This is the entry of all the people entering the arena. This originally was a parade through the town the Pow-Wow was in. Even today in some Pow-Wows, these parades are still held. During the Grand Entry, everyone is asked to stand as the flags are brought into the arena. The flags carried generally include the Canada Flag, US flag, Provincial Flags, the Union Jack, First Nations flags, Veterans flags, and Eagle Staffs of various tribes present. These are usually carried by veterans. Anishinabe people hold the Canada flag in an honored position despite the horrible treatment received from this country. The flag reminds people of those people who have fought for this country, in higher proportions than any other identifiable group in Canada. In some First Nations, every able-bodies man enlisted in the Canadian or US Forces. This despite being exempt from conscription. Our people didn't have to serve, they volunteered.

Following the veterans are other important guests of the Pow Wow including Chiefs, Princesses, Elders, and Pow Wow organizers. Next in line are the men dancers, including the Mens Traditional, Fancy Feather, Grass Dancers. The men are followed by the women dancers, including the Womens Traditional, Fancy Shawl Dancers, and Jingle Dress Dancers. Once everyone is in the arena, the song ends and a Flag Song is sung to honor the Eagles Staffs, Flags. In our territory, a Veterans Song is also sung to honour those Veterans participating in the Pow-Wow, all veterans in our families and those who've gone on into the Spirit World. After a prayer, called the Invocation, the dancing resumes, usually with a welcome song, a few inter-tribals and round dances.
In our territory, most Pow-Wows are "Traditional" gatherings. Meaning, there is a strong, traditional and spiritual context to the event. There is usually a lot of inter-tribal and social dancing. There is also a community feast with traditional dishes and wild game.
Contest Pow-Wows, or competition Pow-Wows are very popular across the United States, although there are contest Pow-Wows in urban centres and larger Native communities across Canada. Dancers and singers compete for cash and prizes based on their dancing abilities, beautiful regalia and overall impact of their presentation. Singing contests are based on singing skill, togetherness, their songs, and overall impact of their contest song.