14 | NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY
SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2022
dance
Siblings share toe tapping talent
Left to right: Mikey Harris, Savannah Sinclair, Cieanna Harris and Jacob Harris of Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers performing at Main Street’s Got Talent. PHOTOS BY DARCY FINLEY
URBAN CIRCLE TRAINING CENTRE INC. Professional Career Training Opportunity “A Learning Centre that Makes a Difference” Urban Circle is looking for Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Status/Non-status) applicants who are willing to commit to quality training that includes life skills and will lead to employment and offers the following programs: ADULT EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (August – June) • Allows you to obtain a mature grade 12 diploma – High school credits by Seven Oaks school division and have the opportunity to stream into our apprenticeship program; and employment preparation; or furthering education onto post secondary. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM – Certified by Red River College Polytecnic (September–June) • This course is a “stepping stone” to a Bachelor of Education degree. HEALTH CARE AIDE/HEALTH UNIT CLERK PROGRAM (NURSING ASSISTANT) – Dual Certified by Red River College Polytecnic (August – June) • This course is a “stepping stone” into the Healthcare field. FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER PROGRAM – Certified by Red River College Polytecnic (January – December) • This program is “stepping stone” into social work field. Unique learning environment! 519 Selkirk Avenue, Winnipeg Call 204-589-4433 for more information OR visit Website: urbancircletraining.com
BY WENDY KING
IF YOU’RE AT THE FORKS ON JUNE 18 AND YOU HEAR A FIDDLER TUNING UP, IT’S A GOOD BET SOMEONE’S GETTING READY TO DANCE THE RED RIVER JIG: THE JOYFUL, HIGH-ENERGY TRADITIONAL DANCE OF THE MÉTIS PEOPLE. It’s done by lifelong dancers of all ages — but it’s not something that’s taught in a studio. “It’s pretty much passed down through family members,” says dancer Michael “Mikey” Harris (also known as DizzyFeet on TikTok). And there’s a reason for that. “Back in the day, it was considered a war dance by the government officials and the dance was actually banned in all of our communities — it was really tough to keep it alive,” says Harris, the oldest of the sibling dance trio the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers (www.facebook. com/ifmdancers). “Our ancestors did it silently and as secretly as they could, so it’s been passed down that way through family members.” Today, it’s a different story as the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers — Michael Harris, 22, Jacob Harris, 20, and Cieanna Harris, 18 — take to the stage at the Forks on Saturday, June 18 to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day
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