Members of Northern Prairie Dancers pose for a picture after a first place finish. (Facebook/Northern Prairie Dancers)

By Nigel Maxwell

Culture

Prince Albert dance group wraps up competitive season on winning note

Sep 8, 2023 | 3:16 PM

Northern Prairie Dancers have ended their competitive season on top.

Competing last weekend in Reedy Creek, MB, the group won first place at the Asham Stomperfest’s square dance competition. Modeste McKenzie, a dancer/co -director, noted it was their third competition in Manitoba in three weeks.

“It felt really good because we put a lot of practice in, lots of hours of work and a lot of driving too to get to these places,” he said.

The first place prize was $4,000.

In the weeks prior, the group won third place at a competition in Norway House, and also second place at one in the Pas. The total prize winnings was nearly $20,000.

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The group poses for a picture at the Opaskwayak Indigenous Days Square Dancing Competition at the Pas. (Facebook/Northern Prairie Dancers)

The group has eight full time members and four alternates. And while the majority call Prince Albert home, the members all have connections to northern Saskatchewan including Pelican Narrows, La Ronge and Green Lake.

“Unfortunately square dancing in Saskatchewan has kind of declined over the last 20 years so there’s not a lot of competitions anymore which is sad,” McKenzie said.

However even though the competition season is over, the group remains busy with performances Monday in North Battleford and then Wednesday at James Smith Cree Nation. The group was also scheduled to perform at the North West Territories but could not due to the wildfire situation.

The group will also be teaching classes through Métis Nation Saskatchewan Western Region II and at the Village of Leask. Recalling stories from generations past of large square dance competitions, involving 17 or 18 teams, McKenzie said he would like to see square dancing grow again in Saskatchewan, adding every member takes teaching very seriously.

“We have all this knowledge we need to pass it down. We’re hoping to inspire these young people to pick up their own clickers, their own shoes and try it. It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell