Gus Wetter School students and some Castor community members were treated to a display of Indigenous dance when a Red Deer-based group stopped in town.
The Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe features dancers from all over Alberta, although, according to Gus Wetter teacher Jaymi Rausch, most performers in this presentation were from the Red Deer and Sylvan Lake areas.
“The presentation was well attended from K-12, as well as some community members,” said Rausch, via text message.
Principal Jordan Rhodes welcomed everyone to the presentation, and Rausch gave the land acknowledgment.
After the acknowledgement, the presentation was handed over to the dance troupe, led by speaker Patrick Mitsuing, of Loon Lake, Sask.
The troupe performed several dances, including Prairie Chicken, Grass Dance, the Ladies’ Jingle Dress, and the Men’s Fancy Dance.
Drummers included Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Dean Johnson, and dancers ranged from young — Grade 1 — to adult.
The Red Deer Indigenous Dance Troupe has danced on the Pow Wow circuit and performed all over North America.
The spectators were invited to join in at the end of the dance presentations, an offer many of the Gus Wetter staff took the group up on.
