Winter Round Dance brightens spirits and warms the soul

By Kelly Anne Smith

NORTH BAY— It was a full room of happy people at The Indigenous Physical Wellness Program Round Dance held at Canadore College on a snowy night.

During the Round Dance, the many singers surrounded the large table while dancers moved in an outer circle around them. Toddlers and young children played and chased each other. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming.

The Jan. 18 Round Dance is part of the college’s study on Cultural Continuity and Physical Health: Creating a Model of Resiliency Among Indigenous Post-Secondary Students and Their Families. Patty Chaput of the First People’s Centre has a lead role.

The first-ever Round Dance held in the Village at Canadore College was sponsored by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the First People’s Centre, and Canadore College.

Natalie Wajashk Restoule coordinated the well-attended event with the help of a team of students.

“Since September leading up to this point, we’ve been doing traditional programming to see if this is what the students want. Right now there are programs for non-Indigenous students that are linked to physical wellness but we’ve noticed a lot of Indigenous students don’t access that. We want to provide something they will access,” she explains. “We are in the research stages. We want to show that at Canadore and to other post-secondary institutions as well, that it is needed everywhere…We have been doing a lot of amazing events. The Round Dance is the last portion, highlighting everything that we have been doing so far. It highlights traditional foods, spirituality, family and friendship connection. This is a celebration of song and dance to give back to the community, students and their families.”

Artist and knowledge keeper Duane Linklater of Moose Cree First Nation led the Pipe Ceremony and feast. Feast helpers pass out the feast dish by dish to each guest. Guests are seated on the floor and gently instructed to be patient for the meal.

The Pipe Ceremony continues while the food is being served. When everyone has been served, participants were asked to take a small piece from each food with some of the tea and set it aside to share the meal with family members who have gone on before them. When contributions to the bowl for the other side were made, then they could eat.

Shawnesia Ottawa of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, Que., helped to cook the feast. Ottawa is on the Canadore Aboriginal Student Association and working with the Indigenous Physical Wellness Program.

Ottawa explains that the Round Dance is part of ceremony. The women cook the meal and the men distribute it.

“The women put good energy into the food. Part of it is inviting the spirits to come. They are going to feast with us. Our job as the cooks is to be thinking of our loved ones who passed on. When we cook for them, they are the ones who are going to feast first. It is important for us, when we are making that traditional food, not to taste anything. It is a protocol. Ancestors must feast first before us.”

Ottawa praised the goose roast that took place in the tee pee earlier in the semester.

“We had asked students, ‘What are some things you’d like to see?’ One of the main answers was food—you know? Starving students,” recalls Ottawa. “For a lot of students, what we consider traditional foods— it’s normal back in their communities. If they are homesick, it’s important for us to have these activities, because they feel more at-home.”

Feast helpers included Tyler Eagle, Sage Iahtail, Jericho Mack, Tobi Linklater and Hunter Pizzale.

The Round Dance emcee was Jordan Mowat and the stickman was Brennan Govender.

Gerry McComb led the first four songs. Singers included Tyler Eagle, Brennan Govender, Jordan Mowat, Jacob Dayfox, Steve Rickard, Cody Sackaney, Charlie and George Otter Eyes, Tyler Paul, Nimkat Wemigwans, Hunter Pizzale, Sage Iahtail, Jericho Mack, Jamie Koostachin, Darren Nakogee, and Caleb Turner.

Niijaansisnaanik Child and Family Services and the North Bay Indigenous Hub had information booths. Featured artisans were Robin McKenzie, Miss Lolly Creations, Cheryl Beaucage and Brittnay Gauthier.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, a sacred fire blazed on through the storm for the ceremony starting from the early afternoon thanks to Fire Keeper Sammy Ottereyes-Eagle.

Indoors at the Indigenous Physical Wellness Program Round Dance, dancers of all ages harmonized with the singers and moved to the beat of the many hand drums.