Why three northern Ontario women are organizing a round dance to ring in the New Year | 24CA News

Making a plan to ring within the New Year can really feel like plenty of strain. But this December 31, three ladies in northwestern Ontario are providing an possibility that they hope will make issues simpler.

They’re organizing a New Year’s Eve spherical dance, which is an area the place those that need to decide out of the standard New Year’s plans can spend their time in a standard setting as an alternative.

“It’s really important to bring back our culture and embracing who we are … and lead by example to our youth,” mentioned Bess LeGarde of Fort William First Nation.

LeGarde is organizing the Ambe Anishinaabeg Round Dance together with Justine Gustafson of White Sand First Nation, and Fawn Meshake of Ginoogaming First Nation. The three ladies all dwell within the Thunder Bay space and are actively concerned within the cultural neighborhood.

A time to have fun 

New Year’s celebrations usually contain substance use, and are environments that may be tough for these fighting sobriety, LeGarde mentioned. The spherical dance presents another the place persons are in a position to heal and have fun amongst others who’re remaining sober for the night. 

“We want to show the younger generation that we can have fun without substances involved. We want to demonstrate healthy lifestyles and people in our community,” Meshake mentioned. 

A spherical dance is a gathering that brings individuals collectively to heal, honour, and have fun life.

Unlike powwows, the spherical dance focuses on singers utilizing their hand drums as an alternative of the massive drum. Everyone gathers in a circle stepping to the  beat of the drum creating an area of power and therapeutic. The regalia that’s worn at powwows is swapped for ribbon skirts and shirts. 

The organizers of the Ambe Anishinaabeg Round Dance reached out to quite a few hand drum singers who they hoped would be a part of the celebration, they mentioned. Each particular person was fastidiously chosen to mirror Indigenous peoples from all 4 instructions and totally different territories.

“We understand the talent we have in our local community and respect those, but wanted to include an even broader community. We encourage everyone to come out and bring their hand drums,” LeGarde mentioned. 

The organizers are at the moment working to safe monetary and volunteer assist for the occasion. They’re prepared to fundraise, they mentioned, as a result of they imagine that you will need to convey extra tradition to the neighborhood.

“It’s really important that our people know that there is more out there. It just doesn’t just stop at the powwows and sweat lodges,” Fawn mentioned, explaining that the extra everybody shares in these conventional ceremonies, the extra they are going to be introduced into the neighborhood. 

A step in the proper course 

Aungelle Wabigwan of Namaygoosisgagun First Nation is already wanting ahead to attending the occasion. She’s sponsoring a sweetheart particular together with her accomplice, Dustin Gagne. A sweetheart particular is when a pair showcases their dances. It’s a labour of affection and enjoyable. They need to assist extra occasions like this to assist the cultural scene develop, Wabigwan mentioned. 

“The upcoming round dance is really important because it’s the off season for powwows … I know those of us who powwow all summer need something to do and another way to gather especially during these winter months … It’s a way for us to hear those drums again.” she mentioned.

In addition to the Round Dance, there might be prizes given out for the first, 2nd, and third greatest applique skirt; mens and womens facet step; a sweetheart particular; and a winner takes all beadwork class. The prizes are sponsored by the ladies and different people in the neighborhood. 

Organizers additionally encourage individuals to convey a dish to share for the potluck that may happen round 12 a.m. They need the neighborhood to return collectively and share a meal that’s offered by each other. 

The Ambe Anishinaabeg Round Dance takes place on New Years Eve from 6 p.m. to about 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day on the Fort William First Nation Community Centre.