Dancing promotes health and culture
- EFN Staff | March 01, 2017
The combination of physical activity and passing on of Métis culture culminate in creating a healthy lifestyle through the Métis dance program offered at Westmount School in Saskatoon. Given an appropriate Michif name, Lii Pchii Daanseur di la Prayrii (Little Prairie Steppers) was launched over five years ago. Students at Westmount have been given the opportunity to master the art of Métis jigging, square dancing and social dance.
Approximately 27 students participate each year, some of whom have been dancing in the program since pre-kindergarten. A group of eight students are able to strut their stuff as a touring group, attending events like the grand opening of the Round Prairie Library in January of this year.
Mataya Laprise is one of the talented young dancers who has been involved from a very young age. She started dancing for fun, but has become a prize winning jigger taking home a second place win during a jigging competition held over the Christmas break in her home community of La Loche. “It’s fun, and challenging, and everyone should try it,” she says. Mataya also participates in powwow dancing and enjoys the opportunity to perform.
Her skills and enjoyment to perform will serve her well as she will be joining her fellow dancers to showcase their talents at this year’s telemiracle event held in Saskatoon. Angela Caron, Principal of Westmount School is very proud of the responsibility shown by the kids. “The dancers are committed to practice every Monday after school, and many of them show extra initiative by attending the community dance lessons that take place Monday evenings at the school as well,” said Caron.
Westmount provides a drop-in Métis dance program that is free to attend and open to all ages and skill levels. The program runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday evenings. Currently the class enjoys a wide array of participants, nearly 30 people each week, from school staff, community members and Métis families from Saskatoon and area. Traditional square dancing is led by Wilfred Burton, and jigging instruction is provided by Warren Isbister.
Each class builds on the learnings of the previous lesson leaving participants with increased confidence and abilities to share in this aspect of Métis culture. Angela Caron sees the program as a way to engage with families and demonstrate the Métis values that are prominent throughout the community. “It is important that we have Métis specific programming that takes place in our school and community. Westmount is one of very few places that offer this type of opportunity.” Participants of the community class have the option to support Le Petitte Dancer de la Prairie by donating a toonie each class towards telemiracle.
On February 10th, Westmount School hosted a Sweetheart Dance open for all to attend. The evening was filled with the wonderful music of Phillip and Dallas Boyer, dancing, laugher and memories. A nominal fee was being collected at the door with proceeds going towards Telemiracle and to sustain the community dance program into the future.
For more information about the drop in dance lessons, Sweetheart Dance, or to provide donation support for Telemiracle, check out the Facebook page Métis Dance Westmount, or contact Westmount School.