Indigenous·Video

Métis dancers gather for backyard jig as Manitoba pandemic restrictions ease

After a year of separation due to measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, a few Métis dancers from Portage la Prairie, Man., gathered with family recently to celebrate the easing of restrictions in the province with some jigging and jamming.

After a year of separation, dancing community excited to get back to jigging gigs

Métis dancers celebrated the easing of pandemic restrictions in Manitoba with a backyard jigging performance with friends and family in Portage la Prairie. (Dave Panko/Facebook)

After a year of separation due to measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, a few Métis dancers from Portage la Prairie, Man., gathered with family recently to celebrate the easing of restrictions in the province with some jigging and jamming.

"Once we heard the fiddle, we had to get up there because we all know how to jig," said Eric Nash, one of the dancers in the video. 

"We haven't performed together since [the pandemic restrictions began], and it was hard . . .  but we just did it all right on the spot. It was a beautiful day that day so it made me feel good for sure." 

Nash and his brother Anthony Nash jigged for the small audience with Michael and Jacob Harris, brothers who are well known for their dancing content on social media.

Catch their good vibes in this original video from CBC Indigenous:

Métis dancers celebrate easing of Manitoba restrictions with jigging

3 years ago
Duration 1:24
A few Métis dancers from Portage la Prairie, Man., gathered with family recently to celebrate the easing of restrictions in the province with some jigging and jamming.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nic Meloney

Former Videojournalist, CBC Indigenous

Nic Meloney is a mixed heritage Wolastoqi videojournalist raised on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia/Mi'kma'ki. Email him at nic.meloney@cbc.ca or follow him on Twitter @nicmeloney.