Video

Coastal First Nations Dance Festival: Jesse McMann-Sparvier

By Julye Huggins

Hoop Dance Coastal First Nations Dance Festival

In Vancouver March 8th through 11th, the Dancers of Damelahamid present the Coastal First Nations Dance Festival in partnership with the University of British Columbia Museum of Anthropology. This week-long celebration highlights the dance, music, stories and culture of Indigenous peoples of the northwest coast of North America. This video features hoop dancer Jesse McMann-Sparvier, a Cree native from Cowessess First Nation and founder of Indigenous Dance Studio (serving British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba).According to festival’s website, the event “presents the rich cultural traditions practiced by dance groups from British Columbia, the Yukon, Alaska and Washington State as well as guest international artists and demonstrates that these traditions are very much alive, vibrant and relevant today.” Dance performers from the following First Nations have been presented over the years: Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Kwakwakawakw, Gitxsan, Tsimshian, Nisga’a, Haida, Tagish and Tlingit Nations. Stay tuned for the May/June 2012 issue of The Dance Current magazine for an piece on McMann-Sparvier.
Learn more:The Coastal First Nations Dance Festival Indigenous Dance Studio