College to host inaugural round dance on Jan. 27

By KENDALL KING on January 18, 2023.

Medicine Hat College’s Indigenous Engagement and Student Support (Ã”mahksÃpiitaa) office is hosting its inaugural round dance event Jan. 27 in the college gymnasium.

“A round dance is a healing ceremony which brings together children, youth, families and elders of our community to share stories, make new friends and honour the traditions and memories of our ancestors,” Chasity Cairns, manager of Indigenous engagement and student support at MHC, told the News.

Usually held in the winter months, a round dance is believed to be a place where the living and those who have passed can meet and dance together, hence why it is known as a healing ceremony.

Singers and hand drummers will perform during the round dance, while dancers form a circle around them. Indigenous artists and artisans will also be present to share their creations and culture.

Preceding their round dance, there will be a pipe ceremony and a potluck-style community feast.

“If people want to come, they can bring their favourite dish – they don’t have to bring a lot because if you get a lot of people, then there’s a lot of food,” said Cairns. “They can bring a blanket too (because) we’ll sit in a circle and the men will serve the food until it’s all gone.”

Cairns welcomes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members to the event. Attendees may stay for the entire event or drop in for specific portions of the evening, with the pipe ceremony and potluck beginning at 5 p.m. and the round dance beginning at approximately 7 p.m.

“This is a ceremony that’s happened from the beginning of times but because of colonization we haven’t been able to practice our ceremonies for a long time,” said Cairns. “But we’re having (this ceremony) now. So, it’s a really big deal.

“Also, people have had loss and tough times in 2022, so this is our way of healing. So, people can come and experience that.”

The event is being hosted in partnership with MHC’s Coyote Council, Firekeepers Women Society and Saamis Employment and Training Association.

There is no charge for admission.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the event, is asked to call MHC’s Indigenous Engagement and Student Support office at 403-504-3527.

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