Students in Thunder Bay, Ont., share music and movement of powwows with their peers
'Every move has a meaning,' says hoop dancer Dean Maud, 15
Dean Maud says he doesn't know any other hoop dancers in the Thunder Bay, Ont., area. But the 15-year-old from Skownan First Nation in Manitoba is hoping to change that.
"It's like a rainbow. Every move you see is different but it's also colourful," said Maud. "Every move has a meaning."
Maud showcased his skills at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute on Thursday for Lakehead Public Schools' first ever Powwow Kick-Off event.
Arranging the hoops over his arms and legs, he resembled different animals, telling stories of their significance to his culture.
Families were invited to the high school to watch a range of young dancers — as well as a youth drum group — to learn more about powwow teachings and practices.
"We have a lot of pride within our schools and especially within our Indigenous culture, and I have a lot of pride in the students that I get to walk with," said Indigenous wellness co-ordinator Shai Loyie, who has ties to Couchiching First Nation and Manitou Rapids.
"I can see and feel their pride, and I want them to show off and to be proud of themselves and to be strong role models."
Heading into the summer powwow season, Loyie said it's important to help inspire the next generation of dancers and drummers with the confidence to express themselves.
"The main goal of this was to really encourage families to come out to learn something new and to get to know their community youth leaders in a really beautiful way," she said.
'Dancing is medicine'
Carson Loyie, Shai Loyie's brother, is a grass dancer. The 14-year-old explained the origins of the dance, from when community members would stomp down on the powwow lands to flatten the grass "so nobody would trip."
"Grass dancers, they represent the sweetgrass and the wind," he said.
Kiaya Nowegijick, a 16-year-old fancy shawl dancer from Gull Bay First Nation, says her shawl resembles the wings of a butterfly.
"It feels really good to dance because I feel like when I was a little girl, there wasn't much fancy shawl [dancing]. So, sharing your gift of dance is also being a leader to those who are younger," Nowegijick said.
Her friend, Adam Hubbard, dances in the woodland style. The 16-year-old from Whitesand First Nation explained how his regalia features blueberries, to represent his grandfather, and an otter fur turban, which tells the story of an otter that offered to wrap himself around a hunter's head to conceal him from the light.
While performing publicly can be intimidating, the pair said people should feel proud to share their craft with others.
"Humility. I always think about that when people judge people. I try living my life by the seven grandfather teachings," Hubbard said.
"Always dance your style, don't be scared of who you are because you can't change who [you] are at the end of the day," added Nowegijick.
"Dancing is medicine, so don't ever be ashamed of your style."
The story behind Anaang Miikaanhs
The dancers were supported by the singing and drumming of Anaang Miikaanhs, which means "star path" in Anishinaabemowin.
The youth drum group is an off-shoot of the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program in Thunder Bay's Northwood-Limbrick neighbourhood, which is open to youth ages 11 and older.
Destiny Linklater, a member of Couchiching First Nation, said the group started when her younger brother, Zackarius Linklater Arsenault, wanted to have a safe space in the neighbourhood to hang out with his friends.
"Ever since then, they talked about wanting a drum for their neighbourhood and wanting to have powwows in their neighbourhood, neighbourhood drum socials and stuff like that," Linklater said.
This year, the youth built their first drum from scratch out of the moose hide, painting nine pointed stars on both the inside and outside, and writing their names and a prayer inside the drum frame in Anishinaabemowin.
"We did it all in my best friend's backyard and in his basement. He's still fighting moose hair in it," Linklater said with a laugh.
"It was such a surreal experience being able to stretch the hide and soak it. We stayed up 'til like 1 a.m., 2 a.m. one time, just cutting the hide, making sure it's all ready for the drum."
A number of knowledge keepers and community members provided guidance and materials to help bring the drum to life, she said.
"We made this drum and I'm very proud of it and I'm grateful that we had the opportunity to," said Linklater Arsenault, 13.
"[I am] really glad that I'm able to sing on this drum and teach other people how our culture is."
Since the drum has been built, the youth have been holding weekly drum nights on Wednesdays for anyone to attend, which Linklater hopes bring more culture into the neighbourhood.
"While we're doing the drum group, they hear the drum, they hear the music, they feel that good energy," Linklater said.
"That's really what we wanted to bring to Limbrick and what the youth wanted to bring to Limbrick."
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