Keeping his culture alive through dance

Times Reporter

 

One Siksika man is working hard to fundraise in order to help keep his people’s culture alive in today’s youth. Raleigh Weasel Head was at the Hope Community Covenant Church Christmas Market on Dec. 10 selling a variety of handmade native crafts to raise money. 

The money he is making goes towards his program, ‘Back to our roots through Native dance’ which teaches the younger generation traditional dances from their culture.

“What made me start was going around and not seeing too many participate anymore, especially within our tribe,” said Weasel Head.

“There’s hardly any dancers left and so I figured I would take it upon myself to start teaching, and have it carry on our tradition through dancing and through crafts.”

Weasel Head’s first class had 14 girls in it, learning how to do dances such as the jingle dance and the woman’s fancy dance. All classes will also learn how to make their own regalia to go home so they may keep up with their dancing in competitions. 

“I’m having the parents come in and help make the outfits so that way down the road they don’t have to hire somebody, they’ll know how to make it. Or if somebody wanted to have their daughter make an outfit they’ll know how to help out, so it goes in a circle for us,” said Weasel Head. 

Weasel Head said he had tried to go to his band to ask for funding and has not received anything. 

“It didn’t bother me that I didn’t get any funding from my own reserve, I just kept on going just to see it come back and keep going strong,” said Weasel Head.

“I’m trying to voice myself and I’m trying to do it for our people to keep the tradition going. I don’t want to see it die down on us, to fade away on us.”

Weasel Head plans to hold a class for boys next. He said many of his students from his first classes wanted to keep dancing and learning. 

“I’ll be bringing them in once a week or so just to keep going, keep practicing so they don’t lose it,” said Weasel Head. 

For now though, he is focused on his fundraising efforts to be able to continue to provide the classes.