Neekaneewak Round Dance brings together students, families, and community

University of Regina students, families, and community members came together to honour traditions at the Neekaneewak Round Dance on February 3.

Round Dance Teachings

What would have been labelled “Introduction to Round Dance” if it were to appear in a U of R academic calendar, the recent Round Dance Teaching event – hosted by Preston Littletent, Knowledge Keeper at the  ta-tawâw Student Centre  – was attended by a group of interested students, faculty, and staff a few days ahead of the February 3 Neekaneewak Round Dance.

Littletent wanted to ensure that folks looking to attend the Round Dance event would have some understanding of the significance and history of Round Dance to Indigenous culture on Treaty 4 Territory, as well as protocols, and what they could expect to see, hear, and experience at the event.

The original purpose of Round Dances, Littletent shared, was to signify the unity of those gathered and to honour those who had passed on. While they have always been held in the winter, Round Dances today are held for a variety of reasons, including in celebration of someone’s accomplishments or as a special event.

During the Round Dance, a group of hand drummers will stand in the centre singing songs, while attendees form a circle around the drummers and dance in a circular, clockwise movement around them.

Coming together for the Neekaneewak Round Dance

Many from the Round Dance Teaching event participated in the Neekaneewak Round Dance event on February 3. Gym #1 began filling up with dozens of students, families, and community members coming together for a Pipe Ceremony, followed by the feast and Round Dance.

RisingSun Kaysaywaysemat and Preston Littletent shared emcee duties for the Round Dance, joined by Stickman Teddy Bison BA’21. The Stickman typically keeps the event in motion throughout the evening and works closely with the singers to ensure they have everything they need.

Being here is important to me because it shows that we can include our Indigenous culture in educational institutions like the U of R — Fearence Francis, second-year Business Administration student

Planning a Round Dance is no small feat, and the Neekaneewak Round Dance was an incredible demonstration of leadership, teamwork, and community engagement from University of Regina students.

Parker Schmaltz, a first-year student in the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), helped with everything from planning the event, to serving food at the Round Dance, and cleaning up when it was over.

“The ta-tawâw Student Centre does so much for me, being here this evening is a way of giving that gratitude back,” said Schmaltz.

Fearence Francis is the President of the Regina Campus Student Association at First Nations University and a second-year Business Administration student. He has been involved with planning the Neekaneewak Round Dance for the past two years.

“As a student I am really thankful to have a celebration like this being put on tonight,” said Francis.

Being here is important to me because it shows that we can include our Indigenous culture in educational institutions like the U of R.”

First Nations University of Canada Student Association Round Dance

The Regina Campus Student Association at First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) is holding a Round Dance on Friday, February 16 in the atrium at FNUniv. The event will begin with a pipe ceremony and feast at 4 p.m., followed by the Round Dance at 6 p.m.

Find out more about the ta-tawâw Student Centre, a shared space for all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students at the University of Regina.

Jeff Cappo will serve as the MC for the Round Dance, and he will be joined by Stickman Aaron Tootoosis and Whipman Daniel Sangrey and the community is welcome to attend.

Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative

The Neekaneewak Leadership Initiative is an Elder-based leadership program that enhances cultural awareness and develop leadership skills in student participants through traditional and current ‘ways of knowing.’

Banner photo credit: Shaira Castillo / Creative Media Team - KHS