Bear spray incident disrupts powwow at Regina's Brandt Centre

Regina police are asking for the public's help after a bear spray incident temporarily shut down the 45th annual Spring Celebration Powwow.

In a news release, police said they responded to a call of people being assaulted with bear spray at the Brandt Centre at about 9:35 p.m. CST on Saturday.

People were leaving the venue when officers arrived, police said.

A post on the First Nations University of Canada Powwow Facebook page said "due to an unfortunate incident at the Brandt Centre, the Powwow Committee and Head Staff made the decision to call the powwow for the night."

According to the post, the event was to resume on Sunday and the grand entry was scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. CST.

Chris Jean-Baptiste, an organizer with the powwow, said in an interview the committee and staff "wanted to ensure the safety of everybody in attendance [and] the health and safety of our guests is our utmost importance to all of us."

Jean-Baptiste said the powwow takes about a year to plan and is the largest in Western Canada — typically attracting over 8,000 people, more than 20 drum groups and 600 dancers.

"It is very important for the students of the First Nations University of Canada, as well as the faculty, staff and alumni to really connect with the larger community, both Indigenous and non Indigenous," said Jean-Baptiste.

First aid was on site and there were no major injuries, according to a statement from Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL).

REAL added that attendees are subject to a bag search when entering the event — which it said is done at every event.

"REAL continues to collaborate with the Powwow organizers and RPS to ensure there is appropriate security and police presence throughout the day," said the statement.

Police said witnesses described the bear spray suspect as a young male, and ask anyone with information to contact them.