The Mawio’mi at Sandbanks - a respectful visitor guide for a public cultural gathering

Drumming at the Mawio’mi - Jessica Warren

A Mawio’mi is a gathering hosted by the Qalipu First Nation at Sandbanks Provincial Park in the Town of Burgeo, in Newfoundland and Labrador. It carries meaning. It’s rooted in relationships - between people, place, and tradition. It runs this year on July 31 and August 1, 2026.

If you plan to attend, we ask that you arrive as a respectful guest, not a consumer of culture.

On Friday night, the gathering kicks off with a meet and greet, a sunset ceremony with Knowledge Keepers and Elders, and a mussel boil. Saturday begins with an 8:00 a.m. sunrise ceremony, followed by a tea and coffee break, a traditional ceremony, history/cultural sharing by an Elder, a BBQ, a Grand Entry with Spirit Bay Drummers, hand drumming, and a sharing circle. A feast is available all day, with kids’ activities like cotton candy and snow cones. The Mawio’mi is a family friendly, alcohol and drug-free event open to the public.

It's important to understand that a Mawio'mi isn't just entertainment. There are moments meant for joy and community, and there are moments meant for reverence. Your role is to pay attention to the difference.

Before you go, set your expectations

Arrive ready to listen more than you speak. Plan to be flexible. Outdoor gatherings move with weather, timing, and community needs. Treat the schedule as a guide.

Bring essentials that keep you self-sufficient and comfortable: layers for wind, sun protection, water, and a small camp chair or blanket for sitting. If you’re attending early ceremonies, arrive quietly and give yourself time to settle before things begin.

If you’re bringing children, talk with them ahead of time about using their ‘inside voices’ during ceremonial moments. The community is clear about the fact that this Mawio’mi is family-friendly, which is a gift. It’s also a responsibility.

How to show respect on the day

Follow the lead of organizers and Elders. If someone asks for quiet, give it immediately. If you’re unsure where to stand, hang back and watch how others move.

Be thoughtful with photos and video. Even at public events, not every moment is meant to be recorded. A good rule is simple: don’t film ceremonies unless it’s clearly welcomed, and never photograph individuals up close without permission. If there’s an announcement about photos, follow it exactly.

Treat regalia and drumming with respect. Grand Entry and drumming are not props. Respect them as cultural expressions with deep meaning. Stay present. Avoid walking through active circles. Keep your phone down unless you’ve been told it’s appropriate.

Dress for the setting. You don’t need special clothing. Aim for comfortable, neat, and weather-ready. Skip outfits with slogans or graphics that could be distracting or disrespectful in a ceremonial context.

Keep the space clean. Sandbanks is a sensitive environment. Pack out what you bring in. If you see litter, pick it up.

Honour the alcohol and drug-free rule. This rule isn’t negotiable. It’s part of what makes the space safe and welcoming for everyone.

A feast is available all day on Saturday, plus specific shared meals like the mussel boil and BBQ. Shared food is a form of community-building. Move through meal lines patiently. Let Elders and organizers set the flow. If there’s an option to contribute or support, do so quietly and generously.

The best souvenir you can take from this beautiful Mawio’mi is understanding. If you come away with one new insight about the culture, one moment you felt genuinely welcomed, and one impulse to care for the place a little more gently, you’ve done it well.