“It means a whole lot to me”: Kokum watches granddaughters carry traditions forward

“I love dancing for our people and it’s nice to do it for this special day,” she said.

National Indigenous Peoples Day, held each year on June 21, is a time to recognize and celebrate the traditions, cultures and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada.

(Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph/ battlefordsNOW)

The girls’ Kokum, Rachel Trotchie, said watching her granddaughters’ dance brings forward emotions tied to both joy and history.

“It means a whole lot to me because when I was younger, these powwows, we couldn’t go to them. We were not allowed to,” she said. “I always wanted to dance, but I didn’t get the opportunity.”

(Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph/ battlefordsNOW)

Now, Rachel does everything she can to make sure her grandchildren have the chance she did not.

“I make them whatever they want,” she said. “I drive all summer long, take them to all the powwows and let them dance as long as they want, even in the rain, like today.”

(Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph/ battlefordsNOW)

Both Bobbie and Eva have been dancing for the past three years, while their younger sister Cici is just starting to learn jingle dancing. Their learning has come through watching others, attending powwows and following the example of dancers they admire.

“I’ve seen videos and I’ve been to powwows and I’ve seen them dancing and I just want to be like that,” Bobbie said.

(Image Credit: Alyssa Rudolph/ battlefordsNOW)

For Rachel, each bead, each piece of regalia, each trip down the highway for a new powwow is part of something larger: giving the next generation the freedom to celebrate who they are.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

“It means a whole lot to me”: Kokum watches granddaughters carry traditions forward

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