The kickoff of the powwow season marks the official start of spring.

This weekend, thousands of people will converge on the Brandt Centre in Regina for the 36th annual spring powwow hosted by the First Nations University.

It is an international event featuring hundreds of dancers, drummers, and singers.

The chair of the event, Richard Missens, says students are the driving force behind it.

“I have a lot more students than I had last year,” he says. “They are playing leadership roles within the committees, taking charge of the princess pageant for example, taking charge of traditional food booths, taking charge of the elders’ activities.”

The spring powwow is a cultural celebration and it is about tradition, sharing and competing.

More than 800 dancers, singers and drummers will take part and over 7,000 visitors are expected to attend.

Missens adds there is something for everyone.

“The powwow is not just for Aboriginal people, it’s for everybody. It’s meant for everybody to come and hear and to share and to learn and to celebrate. That’s why we do it.”

The powwow is not a moneymaking event – in fact students and faculty raise money throughout the year to host it.

Missens says it is an important event that signals the arrival of spring and the rebirth of nature.

Access Cable is once again providing coverage broadcasting live from the Brandt Centre at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.