Altona and area students were treated to a bit of Indigenous culture during a pow wow demonstration Wednesday afternoon.
Set to beats provided by Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation's (RRAFN) Sons of the Drum group, First Nation dancers - young and older dressed in full regalia - showcased different styles of dance and song significant to their culture. It's something the group has been doing for several years now; working with school divisions and other organizations, all in the spirit of reconciliation.
"We have family and friends who dance, so we got together and wanted to showcase the style of dance that varies from place to place, province to province, territory to territory that they've all travelled to. Our vision was just to share what we love doing - singing and dancing - with whoever and anyone," explained Darcy Henry, a member of the drum group.
"In our community of Roseau River, we have a high class of dancers, and they travel all over the United States, some even travelled overseas, and we want to showcase those guys," added Darcy's brother, Jason, who is also a member of the group.
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He added, their work was also a way to shine a positive light on Indigenous culture during a time when stories of Residential Schools began coming out.
"I think the schools wanted to see a different side, the good side of our people."
While there are still some elements to Indigenous culture that remain sacred to their own, Jason said pow wow dancing and singing isn't one of them.
"We want to share, and we want to show everybody that we're just the same as everybody else and proud of who we are."
Having spent the last five to six years sharing in this way, the duo says they are seeing good things coming out of their work.
"The kids, the young ones who watch and listen, you see them wanting to experience it. You see all the little ones running around here, the gifts that they're giving us. It's really heartfelt. It's why we do it. We want to bring people together. It's what makes us happy, and we also want people to feel the love that we have for the dance, so we share it," said Darcy.
"I don't want to mention the school division, but we had one where the kids didn't want us there," added Jason. "But we said we'd still do it. By the end, they wanted us back."
Thursday's pow wow demonstration ended in unity as dozens of students joined the dancers in the circle for one final dance.
Summer fun
The learning and celebrating opportunities continue this summer.
In a personal invite from Darcy, we are all encouraged to take in the Roseau River Anishinaabe First Nation Annual Pow Wow happening June 20th-22nd.
"Everyone is welcome to attend!" he said.
The weekend will also feature tonnes of food with 21 vendors on site, and more dancing and drums.
"On Saturday evening at 10:30 p.m., we having the biggest fireworks show that we have provided to date," added Darcy.
As well, Jason says they'll be operating the First Nation Pavillion at the Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition in Morris July 18th-20th.
"We'll be there with the dance troupe, pretty similar to what was today. We're going to have some Elders on hand with some culture stuff and they're going to speak about some of the items they use, and some native games that we play - there's a couple that we're going to showcase there."
