Smiths Falls council has pre-approved $65,000 for the 2025 Spirit of the Drum Pow Wow in next year’s budget to ensure it will take place.
It was cancelled in 2024 following unsuccessful grant funding bids to pay the event costs not covered by the more than $20,000 commitment from the town and other stakeholders.
Mayor Shawn Pankow and the rest of council knows the importance of the pow wow.
Pankow also feels there was a communication breakdown that led to blame for the cancellation being unfairly shifted to the pow wow organizers when it was out of their control.
The pre-budget allocation for 2025 reinforces the town’s commitment to what’s become a staple event in the community.
Story by Grant Deme
