Key Concepts

Dance is a primary medium of social celebration.

Associate movement with observation, imitation, and practice of all things in the natural world.

Aboriginal people combine song, dance, drumming, and regalia to express themselves.

Regalia (dance clothing) is an expression of color and design that shows one's identity. It is used to reinforce the meaning of contemporary Northern Plains dances.

Plan for Dance Session

Assemble at the amphitheatre (or the story telling circle in unfavorable weather).

Meet the host and/or dancers.

Learn the history and features of two dances (e.g. fancy, jingle).

Learn the importance of drumming, and song.

Participate in a round dance.

Site Features

Amphitheatre or Story-telling circle

Exhibits (dance, regalia)

Related Curriculum

Dance as a response to music (arts)

Dance to imitate actions of animals

Dance/drama to express traditional events (arts, language arts)

Learn about the dances of Aboriginal peoples within the context of their cultures (social studies)

Before the Visit

Show or read, Dancing Feathers to create an understanding of a jingle dance from a child's perspective.

Use focused imagery. Imagine characters, actions and events in an Aboriginal legend. Students should shut their eyes and imagine the action as the teacher tells or reads the legend.

Listen to Pow Wow music, highlight rhythm patterns with clapping. Have children move to rhythm patterns of the drum beat.

View Dances of the Northern Plains video tape to experience and understand contemporary Aboriginal Pwatsimowin (Cree) "dancing"

Cultural Note

Since the beginning of time, song has been a primary medium for facilitating prayer and giving thanks, socializing and confirming honors within Aboriginal cultures.

Each First Nation culture had unique traditions which centre around song and dance. However, in all First Nations' cultures, song and dance played an integral role in demonstrating hospitality to visitors and in celebrating events of significance (adapted from Darlene Speidel, Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre. No date).

After the Visit

Invite a dance/drum group to perform for your class or school. Observe, imitate, then join in the dance (contact Aboriginal resources near your community, see Website Resources).

Draw or paint your own dance regalia ie. shawl, shield.

Design, graph and demonstrate beading on a loom (this may be a care partner activity).

Create a diorama showing dancers and drummers performing a dance, or competing at a pow wow.