On March 7, the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society (KAFS) and the Sk’elep School of Excellence opened their gymnasium to host a Round Dance. The night was filled with the beating of drums, bannock and featured circles of elders and young ones alike, all joined by one common denominator: love.
The tradition of the Indigenous Round Dance often occurs during winter, unlike the summer powwows, and serves several functions, but most notably to pay respect to ancestors who are joined in spirit. Though the ceremony is commonly associated with memorials, the atmosphere in the gym felt vibrant and welcoming rather than solemn.
“When we can’t be outside, we’re inside all together, and it’s more of a way to connect and bring people together, as well as express ourselves. I think that’s where a lot of my teachings have come from,” said Leticia Tetchinga-Cuthbert, who encouraged all to join in on the experience.
The genius behind the night was none other than Charlotte Rabalkan, a caseworker with KAFS who orchestrated not only the amazing array of food but also brought together community members to celebrate tradition and culture. “My family ancestry is Cree, and round dances are traditionally part of Cree communities,” Rabalkan said. “Round dances are a time to bring the community together. It doesn’t matter where you come from, or who you are, but it’s a time that everybody can come together and share a night of singing and dancing and feast.”
Hands joined as dancers formed a wide circle around the singers and drum group at the centre of the room. Moving clockwise in rhythm with the drum, participants stepped together in time while spectators lined the edges of the gym. Many eventually stepped forward to join the dance as confidence rose. The most spectacular sight was witnessing elders lead the circle, adorned in intricate ribbon skirts, followed closely by keen children who were running among themselves for most of the evening. All footsteps, regardless of age, came together to form the traditional dance. A particular highlight of the evening was bearing witness to the different styles and colours of ribbon skirts worn by all, as well as elders teaching the children proper protocol and respect.
For organizers, the evening was about more than gathering for a single event. Round Dances are a longstanding tradition across many Indigenous communities and often serve as a space for cultural connection, teaching and community care. In fact, the night brought together individuals from across the continent with singers and drummers travelling from Montana, Washington state and even the Canadian Prairies in Saskatchewan, all in the hopes of harmonizing through the end of the winter solstice.
The event also highlighted the inter-generational nature of the tradition. Elders moved alongside young children, with families and first-time visitors welcomed into the circle. For many attendees, the dance served as both a cultural gathering and an opportunity for younger generations to learn and experience traditions firsthand. “We can’t cut corners when we do things like this, we can’t just get up and sing and say we’re gonna have our own dance. [There are] lots of protocols and rules to it,” said Colin Stonechild.
As the evening continued, new dancers joined the circle while others stepped out to share food and conversation. The rhythm of the drum carried across the gymnasium late into the night, keeping the circle moving and reinforcing the spirit of connection that brought the community together.
Events like this Round Dance continue to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members in Kamloops, creating space for cultural celebration, remembrance and shared experience.