Elders and Internet help urban students reclaim culture

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The hoop-dancing circle has opened up in Saskatchewan.

Well into its second year of practice and public performance, the Lloydminster Hoop Dancing Club has become a showcase for young Aboriginal talent in the border town.

Started by Sandra Opikikew in March 2000, the purpose of the club was to help young urban Aboriginal students reclaim their culture and tradition.

"We started as an Aboriginal troupe but have now opened the doors to everybody. We have two non-Aboriginal and 18 Aboriginal dancers. It is a different kind of cultural experience for our urban children, very spiritual, following traditional protocol under the direction of a respected Elder," said Opikikew, a youth services worker with the Lloydminster public school division.

"Realistically, in the beginning, we did not know the Navaho hoop dancing techniques or spiritual traditions and had to research cultural websites on the Internet," said Opikikew.

Hoop dancer instructor Delvin Kennedy from Saskatoon also helped to fill in the blanks. He explained hoop dancing lore in easy terms to the children -what the hoops and colors represented, what animals they were going to create, and the spiritual significance of those characters," explained Opikikew.

"When the audience recognizes these animals and characters, they clap, so the kids know that they have actually made those images come alive in the hoops," she said.

Saskatchewan Elders are not familiar with hoop dancing technique and Navaho mythology. Teaching respect for tradition, healing and the four directions within the circle, however, is universal.

"Elder Bill Peechow from Frog Lake has really helped us to understand our culture and protocol. He attends our performances, gives a blessing in Cree and explains traditional ways to the young dancers and audience. We are working as a team, learning to perform together in sync. Our Elder wants everybody working at the same pace; practicing and performing together, in harmony as a group, the circle complete," she said.

Opikikew first realized that many urban Aboriginal children have little or no access to traditional culture and teachings when she started taking her sons to powwows.

"My son Desmond is a hoop dancer. Initiated by Delbert Wapass as a grass dancer, he was taught hoop dancing by Kennedy, who takes his students to 21 hoops. We felt that without some support to keep up his interest, he was going to lose that skill, and if he could teach, he could maintain that skill," said Opikikew.

The family approached Dr. Don Duncan, director of the Lloydminster public school division, with a plan to start a children's hoop dancing club, and was given strong backing and an enthusiastic go-ahead.

Opikikew applied for a grant from IMED (Indian and Métis Education) and received a matched grant in partnership with the Lloydminster public school division.

In March 2000 they opened the club for students from Grade 3 to Grade 9.

"The club has attracted a cross-section of boys and girls from the public and Catholic school systems, including Cree, Métis and non-Aboriginal students. Our goal for the first season was to master five hoops per dancer and give several performances in the community. We shared tea and bannock with Elders at our first presentation," she said.

The parents of the young dancers met as a group to decide on a level of commitment. They became involved as drivers, backstage support and wardrobe, helping to sew and organize hoops and regalia.

The goal for 200l is for 20 students to be able to dance with 10 hoops each at the year end performance in June.

The club is also aiming to include other dance categories in the grand finale, including jingle, traditional, grass and fancy.

"Some of our children are initiated powwow dancers and are helping others to learn, kids teaching kids. They are all very keen to share their skills," she said.

The club has opened doors for students both culturally and financially.

"We are making jinge dresses right now. Normally kids don't share or lend out their personal regalia. It is very expensive to create. Skills have to be learned and passed on. A child's grass dance outfit, without beadwork, costs $250 to make and if the club can help in any way, we will," said Opikikew.

"It is different on reserve where many grow up, knowing these things, watching the traditions passed on in their own families and sacred ceremonies. We don't have that in the city," she said.

"With our club in its second year, we are just in the learning stages. We do make mistakes and are glad that we have an Elder to guide us," said Opikikew.

Plans for the club include a day trip to Onion Lake to perform at the inter-school powwow, and fundraising to dance in Saskatoon with the hoop dance troupe from St. Mary's School.