Square dancers show off their moves

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/02/2019 (2527 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Toe-tapping tunes were playing at Dakota Nation Winterfest, as hundreds of talented dancers demonstrated their square dancing skills this weekend.

Serving as emcee for the event in the UTC Pavilion at the Keystone Centre, Jason Gobeil said the dancers are an incredible sight to behold.

“It’s beautiful people coming out and showcasing their talents and showcasing what they’ve trained for,” Gobeil said.

Showing off their best moves, nine square-dancing teams danced up a storm.

Watching the Grand Entrance of the dancers as they jig into the arena puts a smile on his face, Gobeil said.

Crowds fill the room soon after the band began to play.

“When you hear the fiddle and you hear the drum, it’s almost like a magnet — it draws you in,” Gobeil said.

One could watch jigging, singing, fiddling and square dancing over the course of the event.

As a young man, Gobeil remembers attending Winterfest, not only to see the powwow and sports, but to check out the talented square dancers in the talent show.

A delightful sight to behold, many of the performers grew up on the stage at the event, and many in the crowd has watched them perfect their craft over the years.

Winterfest offers an incredible opportunity to provide a platform that lets talented performers showcase their unique and well-honed talents, Gobeil said.

An important part of the festivities, the event has an inherent value in bringing people together to celebrate Indigenous culture.

Former tiny tots are now grown competitors dancing as intermediates or adults. Seeing them mature in the sport, Gobeil has seen first-hand how it can help reignite and preserve cultural traditions and values through dancing, fiddling and singing.

“A lot of these dancers are coming from small rural areas in Manitoba. They’re really keeping the art of square dancing alive in their communities,” Gobeil said.

Travelling three hours from the Sagkeeng First Nation, Brandon Courchene was ready to brandish his best jig with his eight-person team.

A seasoned veteran, Courchene is also a member of Sagkeeng’s Finest dance trio, “Canada’s Got Talent” 2012 champions.

A master of his art, Courchene has been dancing for 15 years.

Watching him his fly with the ease of experience, a smile never fades from his face while performing on stage.

“I just really love doing it,” Courchene said.

Watching his parents dance growing up, Courchene was enchanted by the sport.

Visiting competitions like Winterfest serves as a reunion for Courchene and the many friends he has made on the circuit.

“Everybody comes together, dances together and it’s really fun,” Courchene said.

Dancing has changed over the years, and what was traditional a Métis dance has been melded with contemporary dancing.

At competitions, they dance to the traditional fiddle music, but in shows Courchene can be found dancing to more contemporary songs.

“Kids are doing other songs and stuff,” Courchene said. “Like dancing to Black Eyed Peas and more modern stuff.”

Dancing for more than 20 years, Felicia Morrisseau has seen these changes first-hand.

The Winnipeg dancer, said the art has evolved over the years, and what was once a very traditional practice is more contemporary with different steps.

“It makes it harder, there’s more to memorize,” Morrisseau said.

Seeing the other dancers is inspiring and is one of her favourite parts of the weekend.

“Being together with all the dancers, it’s like family,” Morrisseau said.

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp