Hi BLS...I live in the UK - am Mi'kmaq - I have been to these "Pow Wows", very few native people if any go to these - on occasion I have been the only one. I go out of curiousity.
There is only one other native who organises her own/supports the hobbiest pow wow's in the UK.
Yes, they are re-enactments despite what is advertised - how can it be otherwise when it is non native people dressing up and playing the drums?
The same goes for the Pow Wow's in Germany, these people spend a lot of money on their "regalia" - I agree the money spent could be put to better use. Back in NS(Nova Scotia) you wont see such fancy expensive regalia - Mi'kmaq cant afford it. pair of jeans,a t-shirt,sneakers and a shawl will do.Unless you spend all winter or longer working on it with the money you have earnt during the summer months.