A program at the School of Alberta Ballet in Calgary combines powwow with ballet.
Nine-year-old Olivia Lal, of the Denisulin Nation, is one of 20 Indigenous youth participating.
“I love sharing our culture but I also love learning and doing ballet (as well),” Lahl said.
These classes, a collaboration between Alberta Ballet and the Indigenous Sports Council of Alberta (ISCA), last six weeks and are open to ages 8-12.
“They take part ballet dance classes and part powwow,” said Taryn Sampson, Alberta Ballet's director of community programs. “Dance is a truly universal language that brings communities together.”
Over the course of an hour, students spend 30 minutes learning ballet taught by Alberta Ballet Outreach teacher Helen Cox.
“It gives us an opportunity to really share our cultures,” Cox said. “I think the joy that you see in these dancers, it really comes alive in kind of the whole flow of movement and the flow of the music and that feeling of coming together.”
“Great opportunity”
Thirty minutes of powwow dancing is taught by Leslee Mills of ISCA.
“It's a great opportunity for participants, parents and the community, especially in our city. You don't see a lot of opportunities for inner-city kids for things like drumming or pow-wow lessons.”
Mills loves the idea of dance worlds coming together, something she's never experienced before.
Dance students ages 8 to 12 participate in the program presented by Alberta Ballet in collaboration with the Alberta Indigenous Sports Council. (Photo: Tyler Barrow)
“It makes me so excited that we are able to do a powwow and come together in a good way to move forward with reconciliation.”
All students were given a pair of moccasins and ballet slippers to dance in.
The program is funded by Alberta Ballet, with the goal of reducing barriers preventing more youth from getting out on the dance floor.
“It is important for me to share my culture, to keep the culture alive,” Lal said.
A similar program was implemented at Alberta Ballet's Edmonton facility in November.
Alberta Ballet plans to continue the program in 2024-2025.
