NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 9
DANCE
The power of powwow
and the philosophy behind them, help us remember who we are. Not only are you being given that freedom to express what you as an individual believe in, but you are carrying on a part of the Indigenous tribe as well.” The creation of regalia is often a collective family effort, she adds. Throughout the winter months, family members might sit together at a table to work on one person’s beadwork. “Very deeply embedded ancestral roots are reflected within their regalia,” Handel said. “For somebody that has spent the majority of their life heavily involved in dancing ceremonies, the regalia actually depicts their clan, where they’re from, what tribe they’re from, their spiritual colours and their spiritual name, which is very personal.” Yet for others, the powwow might be an entirely new experience. To help these budding dancers connect with their culture, Handel has stepped back from the powwow trail and dedicated herself to sharing her knowledge. In addition to teaching dance, she also designs and creates eye-catching regalia for any students who need it. “Part of the reason why I started the Aboriginal School of Dance is because I really wanted people to understand that it’s not just the physical act of dancing. It’s the philosophy behind why you are doing those specific movements, which are there to remind you of the balance and humility that it requires for you to successfully manoeuvre through life,” she said. “When you’re constantly reminding yourself of these stories and these
BY JENNIFER MCFEE
SPIRIT AND CULTURE CONVERGE AT POWWOWS, BRINGING TOGETHER PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO CELEBRATE TRADITIONS OF MUSIC AND DANCE. B uffy Handel, founder of the Aboriginal School of Dance, spent years of her life travelling the powwow trail from spring to fall. The word “pauwau” stems from Algonquin roots, as does Handel herself. “Indigenous language is more descriptive as opposed to literal, so the word ‘pauwau’ in the Algonquin language was used to describe the opening of the circle by spiritual leaders and elders,” explained Handel, who grew up in Cree territory and follows Lakota ceremony. “If you go north, south, east, west, you literally can find a dancing ceremony or competition powwow every single weekend throughout the entire spring, summer and a portion of the fall.” With a dazzling display of colours, the grand entry marks the official opening of the event. “Everybody comes out and they dance as they literally open that circle. The eagle staff, which represents a community or strong family, is put right beside the Canadian and U.S. flags,” Handel said. “The dignitaries, war veterans, elders and head dancers all come out and then the dance categories start.” These categories begin with the men’s traditional, grass, fancy bustle and chicken dances, followed by the women’s northern and southern traditional, jingle dress and fancy shawl dances. After that, the youth and tiny tots catch everyone’s attention as they showcase their abilities. As a professional dancer for more than 25 years, Handel is best known for her hoop dance, which can also be included in the powwow categories. “To me, and I think to a lot of people, dancing has been a lifesaver because it allows you to express something that’s inside. It’s a way to share who you are and what you believe in. Because of the colonization, Indigenous people quite often are desperately grasping onto any aspect of our identity,” she said. “Each category of dance tells a certain part of that history. So the physical movements,
good things, they will serve as an example to lead you onto a better life path.”
Clockwise from top: Buffy Handel, founder of the Aboriginal School of Dance; hoop dancer Phoenix Handel; performer Bella Flett.
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