The arbour fire on Kawacatoose. Photo submitted Lerenda Asapace.
A Sunday night fire on Kawacatoose has dealt a blow to the Raymore-area reserve’s powwow planning.
At present, community members estimate half of the large arbour, which held an announcer’s stand and provided shelter during powwows, is damaged after parts of the structure burnt down after 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Long-time resident Lerenda Asapace witnessed the firefighting efforts of dozens of people, some of whom were able to pull bleachers away before they became fuel for the blaze. Others used a backhoe and grader to stop the spread of the fire.
Asapace remembers when the arbour was first built, under her late uncle and former chief Richard Poorman’s leadership. She said it hurt to stand there seeing the damage, but standing with a 13-year-old daughter made it even more emotional.
“She was really devastated, like it really bothered her,” Asapace said of her girl, who was crowned princess at that site, danced there, prayed there, and visited her friends there.
Still, the community is regrouping and working to get the arbour functional in time for their annual powwow, which runs from July 18 to 20. Already on Monday, Asapace said people are tearing down the burnt parts of the arbour and cleaning up the site.
“They are determined to get it done within six weeks, which is the date of our powwow,” she said.
This resolve comes alongside anger for some, as Punnichy RCMP is treating the fire as suspicious and investigating whether arson was involved, confirmed Constable David Horton.
Asapace is unsure of whether people were just playing around or if the fire was intentional, but says if it is intentional there need to be consequences.
“If it was children they need to realize the impact that (the fire) had on our community and what (the arbour) meant to everybody. So they need to be accountable and whatever, community service or something, to show it’s not right,” she said.
The community is working on a plan for how much of the arbor can be salvaged, and how much needs to rebuilt.