Younger students were eager to learn from Bruce Smoke’s teachings, especially his dance moves during the open Intertribal dance and the Throw-Hop.

Hub Staff

The traveling Smoke Trail Drum and Dance group once again visited Port Elgin’s St. Joseph's Catholic School, June 20, teaching and engaging students in cultural traditions and dances.

Just in time for National Aboriginal Day, June 21, a sense of community and togetherness took over the school with a handful of students showing their cultural pride and dressing for the in-school Pow Wow.

Grade 3 student Mia Roote, from Saugeen First Nation, proudly showed off her new Jingle dress and took part in the Grand Entry, the Side-Step, the Throw-Hop, the Jingle Dance and the Intertribal Dance alongside a few of her fellow students.

“My favourite thing about today is the dancing,” said Roote, who later added that her favourite dance is the Jingle Dance.

The hot, humid day did not stop students from participating in the Intertribal Dance, the Throw Hop and Friendship Dances.

“The kids love it,” said Principal Keith Walsh. “It gives them a sense of community and allows our First Nation kids and staff to show some pride and show a little bit of what they're all about. It was a great afternoon, I love it.”

During the Pow Wow, Walsh said that the school has a strong connection to Canada’s First People. They show this by having special assemblies honouring Grandfather Teachings, visiting Saugeen First Nation and inviting community members to run in-school workshops.

“We’re always looking for ways to show off our First Nation population because they have a lot to be proud of and we try to give them as much means as possible,” said Principal Walsh, June 20.

Following the Smoke Trail Drum and Dance group giving the gift of dance to the students, every child presented their own gifts, some homemade, to the drummers and dancers.

Traveling Smoke Trail Dancers and approximately seven St. Joseph’s students danced to sacred and culturally significant songs, during St. Jospeh’s Pow Wow, June 20.

Smoke Trail Drum and Dance leader, Bruce Smoke highlighted a variety of cultural dances, during the Pow Wow at St. Joseph’s School, June 20.

St. Joseph’s students grabbed onto each other’s hands to perform in the Friendship Dance.

The singers and drummers of Smoke Trail, at St. Joseph’s School, June 20.

Grade 4 students Quinntana Dowling (left) Mackenzie Ritchie and Lucy D’atri, took a much needed breather, after they danced up a storm at the in-school Pow Wow.