By John Paul II Collegiate

Celebrating First Nations Culture

John Paul II Collegiate Hosts Round Dance

Mar 9, 2020 | 9:20 AM

John Paul II Collegiate hosted a Round Dance on March 5th.

Round Dances are traditionally held in the fall and winter once the hunting and trapping seasons are over.

The JPII event included prayers, dancing, and lunch. Round Dances encourage many people to participate. They celebrate First Nations culture, foster pride, renew relationships, and develop a sense of community and belonging.

The event was open to the public and included elders, knowledge keepers, and representatives from Notre Dame School, Holy Family School, École Monseigneur Blaise Morand, Mosquito First Nation, Saulteaux First Nation, Red Pheasant First Nation, Sweetgrass First Nation, BTEC, Sakewew, and NBCHS. At one point, the traditional happy birthday song was drummed for all to dance in celebration of a young participant.

The drum group included JPII students Andrew Pooyak, Christian Houle, Makenrick Moosomin, Zachariah Moosomin, Keon Baptiste, and Austin Armstrong. Other drummers from throughout the Battlefords’ area such as Layne Berland also lent their talents to the group.

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Elders for the event were Senator Jenny Spyglass and Max Moosomin with Alvin Baptiste as the Knowledge Keeper. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Shonan Awasis. The Stickman was CJ Tootoosis. Frazer Donahue, Shalen Fox, and Tracie Harty organized the event.