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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A sundance ceremony, which holds great spiritual and cultural significance, took place near Fort Smith last week.

The ceremony was the first of its kind to be held in the NWT, in which participants spend four days dancing and go without food or water.

The ceremony was held at the Fox Holes, roughly 30 kilometers outside of Fort Smith, from Aug. 19 to 24. People turned out from areas across Canada to take part in the sacred event, according to organizer Wanbdi Watika.

"Everything that we had asked for in a sacred manner turned out," said Watika. "It's very personal and a sacred thing."

Watika said he did not take note of how many people were in attendance, but said it he was pleased with how the ceremony turned out.

"It's never a negative experience," said Watika. He said that for those who take part it is a very sacred and personal experience and one that is different for everyone.

"My whole idea was to share this ceremony with people who asked for this information. After that it's up to them if they want to dance," he said.

Watika added that while a sundance ceremony may be new to the North, it is a very old tradition that has "been around for hundreds of years," he said.

"It's just the first time up here."