Community members of all ages join hands while drummers sing at the first Omahksipiitaa Round Dance at Medicine Hat College on Friday. - SUBMITTED PHOTO HEATHER SPENCE
“There was a time when we weren’t allowed to dance, so now we dance for those who couldn’t.” – Larry Yazzie, Meskwaki/Dine, world champion fancy dancer
Thundering drums and voices raised in song brought to life Medicine Hat’s first annual Omahksipiitaa (Blackfoot, ‘Big Eagle’) Round Dance Friday night.
Organized by Medicine Hat College’s Indigenous Support Office and held in the Rattlers gymnasium, the event drew nearly 200 attendees of all ages from Medicine Hat and surrounding area.
MC Hal Eagletail of Northern Dene TsuuT’ina Nation brought humour and energy to the evening, with Sacred Horn Society member Elder Charlie Fox, Pii tonista, ‘Eagle Calf’ of Kainai Nation on hand to offer a prayer and smudge before a community feast that opened the celebration.
“To hear Elder Charlie speak in Blackfoot, you feel the trees, the land, the river, all the hills speaking through his voice,” shared one attendee full of awe.
The First Nations feast was shared in customary fashion, with the potluck dishes gathered on the floor. A dozen men and boys volunteered to serve the hearty meal of chicken and bannock, meatballs and salads, fresh tomatoes, roast potatoes, and a traditional saskatoon berry soup prepared by volunteers.
Before the evening’s program got underway, local artisans such as clothing brand Something Wonderful Studios, beaded jewelry shop Deadly Diva Cree-ations and others drew the crowd to their vendor booths. Raffle proceeds from colourful gift baskets and cash prize draws benefited the Firekeepers Women’s Society, which formed in 2021 to pass down Indigenous teachings to the next generations. Society membership is open to women 18-plus of all heritages who are interested in Indigenous culture.
Following the 90-minute feast, the round dances got underway, beginning with a women’s dance, another round with women choosing their partners, and rounds with everyone welcome to join in the circle. Men with hand drums formed an inner circle, drumming and singing to set the slow-moving pace of the dancers, side-stepping clockwise and hands joined.
“It was done in the traditional way, which was really nice,” said guest Heather Spence.
Typically hosted during the colder autumn and winter months indoors, round dances are social events and have their roots in days long past. Early histories conflict about which First Nations introduced the Round Dance, but do agree the slow-paced, circular dance was initially part of healing ceremonies.
The Legend of the Round Dance comes from the Cree Nation. It tells a tale of a loyal daughter who never married but stayed with her cherished mother all her life. Upon her mother’s passing to join the Ancestors in the Green Grass World beyond the Northern Lights, the younger woman’s grief consumed her. One day as she walked alone on the prairie, a figure upon a hilltop was revealed to be her mother; her spirit had appeared to lessen the daughter’s sorrow.
“I am not at peace among our ancestors so long as you grieve,” the mother’s spirit said. “I bring you a gift from the Green Grass World to help our people grieve in a good way.”
The mother taught her daughter the round dance with its own ceremony and songs. “Tell the people that in this circle, we the Ancestors will dance with you and be as one.” The daughter returned and taught the people the round dance ceremony, which was passed down through many generations to follow.
Midway through Friday night, dancers and audience members were delighted with a Giveaway Ceremony. Small gifts of all varieties were placed in the centre of the dance floor and received a blessing from Elder Fox, before being distributed to everyone in attendance.
MC Eagletail passed on wisdom of the gifting tradition to those gathered.
“The Giveaway Ceremony teaches the importance of giving to the people, not being greedy, symbolizing that material items are not everything,” summarized Mekethia Fairbanks, youth leader at Miywasin Friendship Centre.
This celebration of community, at once traditional and modern, fosters a sense of togetherness. Lasting until midnight, revellers headed home with new and renewed connections, full bellies and hearts still dancing.
JoLynn Parenteau is a Metis writer out of Miywasin Friendship Centre. Column feedback can be sent to jolynn.parenteau@gmail.com.
